What rights do property owners have concerning land that borders streams and rivers?

Property owners bordering streams and rivers possess specific rights regarding the use of the water. One primary right is the ability to engage in activities such as swimming and fishing. This right is generally protected under riparian rights, which grant landowners reasonable use of water flowing adjacent to their land. These rights typically allow for recreational use, facilitating enjoyment of the waterways, provided that such activities do not unduly interfere with the rights of other riparian owners or the flow of the waterway.

The other options do not accurately represent the rights of property owners in this context. Ownership extending only up to the high water mark generally pertains to different property law concepts, not the general use rights pertaining to the water itself. Limiting use to only residential purposes would restrict the owner's rights and does not encompass the broader rights related to the water. Lastly, exclusive rights to commercial navigation are more complex and typically involve specific regulations and permissions that do not apply to all property owners bordering water bodies.