Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

What is the boundary between navigable non-tidal waters and bordering uplands typically defined as?

1. Mean high water line

2. Ordinary high water mark

3. Mean low water line

4. Ordinary low water mark

The correct answer is: Ordinary high water mark

The boundary between navigable non-tidal waters and bordering uplands is typically defined as the ordinary high water mark. This mark represents the elevation to which the water rises and remains for a substantial period during the year, which distinguishes the uplands from the submerged lands. It is essential in property law and environmental regulations because it helps delineate ownership and jurisdiction boundaries, particularly when considering land use, development, and conservation efforts. The ordinary high water mark is an established legal standard, as distinct from other terms like mean high water line or mean low water line, which may refer to average water levels but don’t necessarily mark the boundary of property rights or environmental jurisdictions. The ordinary low water mark refers to the lowest point the water reaches and does not serve the same purpose as the ordinary high water mark in defining the interface between land and water.