high-water mark

Defined in 8 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891), Bouvier (1839)

Definitions from Case Law

From 296 U.S. 10 - Borax Consolidated, Ltd. v. Los Angeles · 1935Most cited · 414 citing opinions

This does not mean, as petitioners contend, a physical mark made upon the ground by the waters; it means the line of high water as determined by the course of the tides.

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

That part of the shore of the sea to which the waves ordinarily reach when the tide is at its highest. 6 Mass. 435; 1 Pick. (Mass.) 180; 1 Halst. (N. J.) 1; 1 Russ. Crimes, 107; 2 East, P. C. 803. See "Seashore"; "Tide." Of Tidal Waters. The ordinary high-water point. 60 Pa. St. 339. The point reached by the medium high tide between the spring and neap tides. 44 N. J. Eq. 398. Of Nontidal Waters. The highest point reached by the waters in the normal state, unaffected by freshets. 88 Me. 155. And see 56 Minn. 513.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

In fresh-water lakes and streams, the mark where the presence and action of the water are so common and usual as to mark upon the soil of the bed a character distinct from that of the banks in respect to vegetation as well as to the nature of the soil itself. See 56 Minn. 513, 45 Am. St. Rep. 494, 58 N. W. 295. See, also, Flode-mark.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

That part of the shore of the sea to which the waves ordinarily reach when the tide is at its highest Storer v. Freeman, 6 Mass. 435, 4 Am. Dec. 165; Com, v. Charlestown, 1 Pick, (Mass.)

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

This term is properly applicable only to 'tidal waters, and designates the line on the shore reached by the water at the high or flood tide. But it is sometimes also used with reference to the waters of artificial ponds or lakes, created by dams in unnavigable streams, and then denotes the highest point on the shores to which the dams can raise the water in ordinary circumstances. Howard v. Ingersoll, 13 How. 423, 14 L. Ed. 189; Storer v. Freeman. 6 Mass. 437, 4 Am. Dec. 155; Mobile Transp. Co. v. Mobile, 128 Ala. 335, 30 South. 645, 64 L. R. A. 333, 86 Am. St. Rep. 143; Morrison v. First Nat. Bank, 88 Me. 155, 33 Atl. 782; Brady v. Blackinton, 113 Mass. 245; Cook v. McClure, 58 N. Y. 444, 17 Am. Rep. 270.

Defined under Water-Mark in Black's Law Dictionary.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

The mark which the sea makes on the shore, at. high-water of ordinary tides.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

This term is properly applicable only to tidal waters, and designates the line on the shore reached by the water at the high er flood tide. But it ig sometimes also used with reference to the waters of artificial ponds or lakes, created by dams in unnavigable streams, and then denotes the highest point on the shores to which the dams can raise the water in ordinary circumstances.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States

John Bouvier · 1839

is that part of the shore of the sea to which the waves reach on ordinary occasions, when the tide is at its highest, 6 Mass. R. 435. Vide Sea shore.