Are the beds of Ohio rivers and streams owned by the State of Ohio?

The assertion that the beds of Ohio rivers and streams are not owned by the state reflects the legal principles governing water rights and property ownership in Ohio. Generally, landowners own the land adjacent to rivers and streams, including the beds, unless the waters are deemed navigable. In Ohio, only navigable waters have their beds owned by the state for public use, reflecting the common law doctrine of navigability.

The correct understanding is that in non-navigable waters, the adjacent landowners maintain ownership of the land beneath the water. This distinguishes property rights related to navigable and non-navigable streams, implying that ownership can vary depending on the classification of the waterway. Thus, while navigable waters do fall under state ownership, the beds of streams that are not navigable remain privately owned by the adjacent landowners.