Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

What are properties adjacent to lakes and the Gulf of Mexico called?

1. Riparian

2. Seaward

3. Littoral

4. Riparian Rights

The correct answer is: Littoral

Properties adjacent to lakes and the Gulf of Mexico are referred to as littoral properties. This term captures the idea that these lands directly interface with bodies of water that are navigable and typically subject to tidal action, such as lakes, seas, and oceans. Littoral rights allow the owners of these properties certain entitlements, including access to and use of the water for activities like fishing, swimming, and boating, as well as the right to enjoy the land's natural resources. While riparian rights apply specifically to land that borders rivers and streams, littoral rights encompass properties along larger bodies of water, thus clearly differentiating the two systems of rights based on the type of water body. Seaward does not provide a legal framework or ownership rights, but rather describes a direction or orientation. Riparian refers to riverine properties, highlighting the need to distinguish between those adjacent to moving bodies of water and those next to lakes or seas. Hence, understanding littoral rights is crucial for owners and surveyors working with properties near larger, still water bodies.