Читать книгу Carolina Whitewater. A Paddler's Guide to the Western Carolinas онлайн

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When a person owns land over which a “non-navigable” stream flows, that person owns the land under the stream and has the right to control the surface of the water. For this reason, when canoeing on streams of questionable navigability, it is best to mind one’s manners to the fullest. If you must cross private property for any reason, request the owner’s permission before doing so. Generally speaking, the landowner will be a reasonable person if approached courteously and respectfully. More often than not the unreasonable property owner is one whose property rights have been abused in the past.

With the popularity of canoeing growing tremendously, travel on our streams is increasing also. Prime examples of such heavy usage can be found on the Nantahala and the Chattooga. Be sure that you aren’t the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back; by committing some careless act you may cause a landowner along a stream of questionable navigability to block access to it, or perhaps take the next guy to court for trespass. Make sure that you leave the door open for the next paddler.