Senate Bill 155 and Navigation Information:

To read many of these documents you will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader.

Examples of approved access plans
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Scientific Reviews in Texas
Information on Stream Navigation Laws:

Texas Stream Navigation Law (updated to 01/2004)

If A River Runs Through It, What Law Applies?

Driven to Act: Senate Bill 155 Lightens Traffic On Texas Riverbeds

  Return to Texas River Guide

Motor Vehicles Are Prohibited In Texas Navigable Riverbeds STARTING JANUARY 1, 2004

• The Canadian River and Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River are exempted by statute.

• A motor vehicle is defined as “any wheeled or tracked vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used to transport a person or thing.”

• A navigable river or stream is one that “retains an average width of 30 or more feet from the mouth or confluence up.”

• The public retains constitutional right to travel navigable waterways, as long as a motor vehicle is not used.

• It is illegal to obstruct, restrict, or interfere with lawful public recreational use of a navigable river or stream.

• Crossing private property without permission to access a river or stream is illegal.

• Local River Access Plans may allow motor vehicles in specified river areas.

• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking grant proposals and sites for off-road vehicle parks.


Back to Top