State v. Bonelli Cattle Company

CAMERON, Judge.

This is an appeal by the defendant, State Land Department, from a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, Bonelli Cattle Company, which quieted titled to certain land situated along the Colorado River in Mohave County, Arizona.

We are called upon to answer the following questions;

1. Did the State of Arizona obtain title to the bed of the Colorado River when admitted to the Union by virtue of the “equal footing” doctrine?

2. Did the trial court err in not determining whether the river had moved by avulsion or accretion in making its decision ?

3. When a navigable river is rechanneled…