Smith Tug & Barge Co. v. Columbia-Pacific Towing Corp.

The perplexing issue in this case is who has the right to moor logs and build facilities therefor in the Columbia River below the low-water mark..

*614The defendant, Columbia-Pacific Towing Corporation, purchased what is known as Sharkey or Sandy Island, which lies in the Columbia off Goble, on the Oregon side of the river. Its title goes to the island’s high-water mark. The water around the island is a desirable log storage area.

The State of Oregon owns the area between the high- and low-water marks of the island. The State also has title to the bed of the river below the low-water mark.

The State…