Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

What term refers to properties adjacent to rivers and streams?

1. Littoral

2. Riparian

3. Adverse

4. Subaqueous

The correct answer is: Riparian

The term that refers to properties adjacent to rivers and streams is "Riparian." This term is derived from the Latin word "riparius," meaning "of the riverbank." Riparian rights are legal entitlements that allow property owners to access and use water from a river or stream that borders their land. These rights often include the ability to draw water for irrigation or domestic use, as well as the responsibility to protect the waterway from pollution or obstruction. Littoral refers specifically to properties that are adjacent to large bodies of water, such as lakes and oceans, rather than rivers and streams. Adverse pertains to a legal concept relating to property rights and can indicate a claim or condition that is contrary to another's interest. Subaqueous refers to anything that is under water, generally relating to submerged lands or properties rather than those adjacent to water bodies. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in surveying and property law, particularly concerning water rights and land use regulations.