PS Boundary Law & Riparian Rights 2

Question 1

Under the doctrine of accretion, who owns land gradually deposited by a river along a riparian owner's bank?

Accepted Answer

The riparian landowner

Answer

Under accretion, land gradually and imperceptibly added to a riparian owner's bank by water action becomes the property of that riparian owner.

Question 2

When a river suddenly changes course due to a flood, cutting off a parcel, this event is legally known as:

Accepted Answer

Avulsion

Answer

Avulsion is the sudden, perceptible shift of a watercourse, and under avulsion doctrine the boundary remains at the old channel location.

Question 3

The term 'reliction' in boundary law refers to:

Accepted Answer

Land exposed by the permanent withdrawal of water

Answer

Reliction (or dereliction) is the gradual recession of water that permanently exposes new land, which accrues to the adjacent riparian owner.

Question 4

In the prior appropriation doctrine used in western US states, water rights are based on:

Accepted Answer

First in time, first in right

Answer

Prior appropriation allocates water rights by priority of use — the first person to put water to beneficial use holds senior rights over later appropriators.

Question 5

A navigable river serves as a boundary between two states. The boundary line is most commonly located at:

Accepted Answer

The thread of the stream (thalweg)

Answer

For navigable interstate rivers, the boundary is typically the thalweg — the line following the deepest channel or main navigable channel.

(PS) Professional Licensed Surveyor Practice Test

(PS) Professional Licensed Surveyor Practice Test

PS Boundary Law & Riparian Rights 2