In a non-perennial stream, who shares ownership of the bed?

In the context of a non-perennial stream, ownership of the streambed is typically shared among the landowners whose property abuts the stream. This means that those whose land borders the stream hold rights to the bed, in accordance with the principle of riparian rights. Under these rights, the landowners have access to the water and certain usage rights related to the stream, but they do not own the water itself.

This principle is rooted in land law where adjacent property owners share access to water bodies, and hence share ownership of the land that comprises the streambed. This arrangement recognizes the interconnected nature of land and water rights, promoting responsible use and stewardship by those who are directly affected by the stream.

Ownership solely by the state, the property owner upstream, or the federal government does not reflect the recognized legal framework surrounding non-perennial streams, as these streams are generally regarded as part of the local ecosystem that directly impacts the immediate surrounding landowners.