Here in the U.S. most states divide their rivers between those that can be navigated and those that can't. Navigable being the key word. It is generally referred to as traditionally navigable, or navigable for commerce.
On any river that does not fit the definition of navigable and is therefore non-navigable the land owner, owns the banks of the river and the bed of the river as well. So, just like in the U.K. anyone going down one of these rivers is trespassing.
On navigable rivers the land owner does not own the bed of the river and you are therefore not trespassing.
But what if you want to go ashore and camp? Here, most states have worked out a very reasonable compromise: The canoeing public can camp anywhere between the water's edge, and the high water mark. This is usually quite a sufficient distance and includes plenty of camping space and firewood.
Not a bad compromise, really. I own property that is split by a navigable stream. My family has had for years a private picnic site near the waters edge, with a stone picnic table and a stone barbecue grill. A few times people have discovered it and abused it but for the most part it is left unmolested.
On any river that does not fit the definition of navigable and is therefore non-navigable the land owner, owns the banks of the river and the bed of the river as well. So, just like in the U.K. anyone going down one of these rivers is trespassing.
On navigable rivers the land owner does not own the bed of the river and you are therefore not trespassing.
But what if you want to go ashore and camp? Here, most states have worked out a very reasonable compromise: The canoeing public can camp anywhere between the water's edge, and the high water mark. This is usually quite a sufficient distance and includes plenty of camping space and firewood.
Not a bad compromise, really. I own property that is split by a navigable stream. My family has had for years a private picnic site near the waters edge, with a stone picnic table and a stone barbecue grill. A few times people have discovered it and abused it but for the most part it is left unmolested.