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HomeHarbors and Navigation CodeDiv. 1.5Ch. 2§ 101 Navigable California Waters List

§ 101 Navigable California Waters List

Harbors and Navigation Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 101 Navigable California Waters List

This law says certain rivers, streams, and a lake are public waterways that anyone can use for travel or boating.

Key Takeaways

  • •The listed waters are open for public use.
  • •Each waterway has a specific limit (e.g., three miles from the mouth of a river).
  • •The rule does not take away any existing private rights, like reclaiming land around Clear Lake.

Example

A family wants to take a small boat up the Albion River for fishing.

Because the law declares the Albion River a public way up to three miles from its mouth, the family can legally launch their boat and travel that distance without needing special permission.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 101 Navigable California Waters List

The following streams and waters are declared navigable and are public ways: Albion River, to a point three miles from its mouth. Alviso Slough, sometimes called Steamboat Slough, lying between the bay of San Francisco and the place where it was crossed by the tracks of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company on June 10, 1913. Big River, to a point three miles from its mouth. Channel Street, in the city of San Francisco, from the bay to the northeasterly line of Seventh Street, the width thereof to be one hundred forty feet. Clear Lake, in Lake County; but this declaration shall not interfere with any rights of owners and claimants to reclaim swamp or overflowed land around the margin of Clear Lake. Corte Madera Creek, in Marin County, from its mouth to a point as far as tidewater flows. Coyote River between the bay of San Francisco and the place where it was crossed by the tracks of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company on June 10, 1913. (Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

navigablepublic waysAlbion RiverAlviso SloughBig RiverChannel StreetClear LakeCorte Madera CreekCoyote River

Related Statutes

  • § 102 California Navigable Waters List
  • § 103 Public Navigable Waterways List
  • § 104 Navigable Waterways Public Access
  • § 105 Navigable California Waterways
  • § 106 Public Navigable Waterways List

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 101.
View Official Source