Swanenburg v. Bland

In this injunction suit, we consider the riparian rights of three owners of adjoining properties that front upon a navigable river. In doing so, we examine the peripheral owners’ claims that because the middle owner’s property does not extend to the mean low-water mark, he has no right to build a pier extending to the line of navigation.

On November 4, 1987, Richard Swanenburg and Margaret W. Swanenburg (collectively Swanenburg) acquired title to Lot 1, Section 2B, of a subdivision known as Chickahominy Haven (the subdivision). William R. Bland, Trustee of Riverhouse Land Trust (Bland), and R.…