Dahl v. Clackamas County

Plaintiffs brought this suit to quiet title to a piece of land in the Willamette River known as Goat Island. Plaintiffs claim ownership upon the ground that at the critical date Goat Island was situated between high and low water marks of the Willamette River. The State claims ownership upon the ground that at the critical date Goat Island was part of the bed of the Willamette River between the low water marks. The trial court found for the State.

The State owns the land between the high water marks of navigable streams. State v. McVey, 168 Or 337, 121 P2d 461, 123 P2d 181 (1942). The State,…