Rivers and Harbors Act

The Rivers and Harbors Act, enacted in 1899, is a U.S. federal law that regulates construction and maintenance activities on water bodies like rivers, lakes, and harbors. It primarily aims to protect and preserve navigable waters by requiring permits for activities such as dredging, filling, or building structures that could affect water flow or navigation. The Army Corps of Engineers oversees compliance, ensuring that projects do not harm water quality, ecosystems, or public interests. In essence, the act helps manage human activities around waterways to maintain safe, environmentally sound, and navigable conditions.