---
title: O.C.G.A. § 44-8-3. Exclusive possession by owner of nonnavigable streams; interference by legislature with lawful use.
collection: code
id: 44-8-3
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 44-8-3 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-8-3
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-8-3.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-8-3/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t44-ch8-15-(v32)-2022-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=9e9e06de_0#page=24
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-8.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-8-2.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-8-4.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PROPERTY / WATER RIGHTS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 44-8-3. Exclusive possession by owner of nonnavigable streams; interference by legislature with lawful use.

The owner of a nonnavigable stream is entitled to the same exclusive possession of the stream as he has of any other part of his land. The legislature has no power to compel or interfere with the owner’s lawful use of the stream, for the benefit of those above or below him on the stream, except to restrain nuisances.

## History

Orig. Code 1863, § 2210; Code 1868, § 2205; Code 1873, § 2231; Code 1882, § 2231; Civil Code 1895, § 3061; Civil Code 1910, § 3633; Code 1933, § 85-1305.

## Law Reviews

For article on principles of water law in the southeast, see 13 Mercer L. Rev. 344 (1962).