SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

         Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) July 11, 2002
                                                          -------------

                              BOWATER INCORPORATED
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware                      1-8712                       62-0721803
(State or other             (Commission                   (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of              File Number)                  Identification
incorporation)                                                No.)


                             55 East Camperdown Way
                                  P.O. Box 1028
                        Greenville, South Carolina 29602
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (864) 271-7733

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report):  Not applicable








ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

         The press  release  issued by  Bowater  Incorporated  on July 11,  2002
attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report is incorporated herein by
reference.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c)      Exhibits.

         99.1     Press release issued by Bowater Incorporated on July 11, 2002


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.


                                            BOWATER INCOPORATED
                                            (Registrant)


Date:  July 11, 2002                By:     /s/ David G. Maffucci
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name: David G. Maffucci
                                            Title: Executive Vice President and
                                                   Chief Financial Officer





                                    EXHIBITS

         99.1     Press release issued by Bowater Incorporated on July 11, 2002