River Banks

[J hoss]

Who owns the river banks? Some say landowners others say core of engineers. I just want to detect them

 

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[Tom_in_CA]

navigable ?

 

[J hoss]

I guess that's information I need to have included (duh) yes the rivers in my area the Cumberland, Tennessee and the Ohio are navigable, and have tow boat traffic

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Then if it were me, I'd do it. But like everywhere (even innocuous parks, forests, etc...), if you ask enough people "can I?", you will eventually always find someone to tell you "no". So I don't tend to ask many silly questions of bored desk-bound pencil pushers.

 

[Bobby Bridge]

in Michigan the state owns all land under the water. We can walk anywere as long as we stay off the banks

 

[Clay Diggins]

In Kentucky and most of the eastern states the State controls navigable waters for the benefit of the public. In none of those states does the public have a right to use the banks of the waterways for anything not related to navigation. It's not the actual soil that the state controls for the benefit of the public but the use of the water itself. That water is subject to private riparian rights of use but the navigation of the waters is open to the public.

I see you are in Kentucky? Here is a short explanation by the Circuit Court Judge. That's who you will be answering to ultimately so you might as well know what the one who will be hearing your story thinks.

In summary:
You have the right to navigate the public waters.
You have no right to detect or dig the banks or soils of the public waterways.

 

[tomhighland]

Laws are different everywhere. In Michigan it is the property owner. However if you are wading the river and come to an unpassable point you are allowed to use the land to get around that point. Not allowed to linger. Part of fishermans rights laws. Very difficult to get solid info on metal detecting here. Often if you ask they do not Know but shortly thereafter the area you asked about will be closed. Invest in a plat book for your area. you might be suprised at how much is actually public property.