Islands formed by accretion in navigable streams belong to which entity?

Islands formed by accretion in navigable streams are considered to belong to the state. This is grounded in the legal principle that navigable waters, and the land associated with them, are regarded as public property held in trust by the state for the benefit of its citizens. When sediment builds up to form new land (islands), it is typically viewed as an extension of public waters, and thus, the state has jurisdiction over these newly formed lands.

In the context of land surveying and ownership, this principle ensures that such areas are managed under state law rather than being subject to private ownership or control. This reflects the idea that natural resources and navigable waterways are essential for public use and should not be isolated or claimed by individuals. Therefore, islands that emerge through natural processes like accretion are classified as state-owned land, reinforcing the concept of public trust in natural resources.