History of River Access Law

An illustrated ebook about the development of river access law from ancient times to the present

Click here to read the Table of Contents as a pdf on your screen.

Chapter 1, history of river uses and the development of river law.

Chapter 2, basic principles of water law and river law.

Chapter 3, which rivers are navigable for which legal purposes?

Chapter 4, public rights to kayak, raft, canoe, and fish on rivers.

Chapter 5, the limited role of state law regarding paddling and fishing rights on rivers.

After viewing a chapter, you can return to this page by clicking the “back arrow,” typically near the upper left corner of your screen.

CAUTION: In most states there are landowners and officials who believe that paddlers and fishermen on rivers flowing through private land are trespassing, so avoid confronting them. If they confront you, leave quickly. After leaving the river, distribute a link to this website to the sheriff and landowners in that area.