What happens to the land beneath perennial streams according to Texas law?

According to Texas law, the state owns the beds of perennial streams regardless of their navigability. This means that the state retains ownership rights to the land beneath these streams, which includes both flowing waters and adjacent bank areas. This principle stems from the idea that certain natural resources, like water, are in the public domain and cannot be exclusively owned by private individuals.

Perennial streams, which flow continuously and are typically classified as navigable, are considered public waterways, hence their beds are managed by the state for conservation and public access. This legal principle aims to promote the protection and use of water resources for the general public's benefit while preventing private ownership that could restrict access.

Understanding that the land beneath perennial streams is state-owned is crucial for land surveyors and property developers, as it impacts land use, development rights, and access to water resources in Texas. Therefore, recognizing the state's ownership underlines the relevance of water rights in land surveying practices within the state.