Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-02
TITLE TO MADE AREA
Government Has Problem Re-
garding Reclaimed Ground.
VIRGINIA HIGH-WATER LINE
Proposed Improvements Depend
Upon Adjustment Of Boundary.
CONCESSION BY MARYLAND
Riparian Rights Involved in Strip Of
Land Between Aqueduct and
Highway Bridges.
VIRGINIA HlGH-WATER LINE
CONCESSION BY MARYLAND

An interesting question Of riparian
rights has arisen in connection with the
|, work now In progress by the United
States government for the improvement
Of navigation in the Potomac river oppo-
site this city. It involves the owner
ship Of a long strip Of territory along the
river on the Virginia side, between the
Aqueduct and Highway bridges. Origi-
nally under water and within the high
water nne forming the boundary Of the
District Of Columbia at that point, It is
now in process Of reclamation in part by
natural accretion. but mainly through
the river improvements conducted by the
federal government
The general project for the improve
ment OF the Potomac at Washington In
wolves the maintenance Of deep water
channel to Georgetown. To guide the cur
rent on the Virginia side and to prevent
the shoaling of the channel, stone train
south side Of the channel from point
just below the lower end OF Analostan
Island to the Highway bridge, distance
of little more than a mile. That dixie is
formed Of rprap dumped into the river
to q height above high tide, with view
to its possible future use as the f0unda-
ton of q sea wall similar to that ane the
water side Of Potomac Park. According
to the latest report Of the engineers, IL
600 cubic yards Of riprap have been used
in building $500 lineal feet of the train
ing dixie.
Method Of Reclamation.
Although not yet settled it is probable
that the submerged area behind the dixie
will eventually be filled in by the gov
eminent engineers with material dredged
from the river channel. That was the
method employed in the reclamation Of
the overlooked area now known as Po-
tomac Park. II the same plan Is fol-
lowed on the south side Of the river a
large area will be added to the Virginia
shore and the high water line on that
side would be materially altered.
The question of the ownership Of the
made land is under consideration by the
special commission engaged in examin-
ing the title of the United States to GER
tain river areas within the District Of
Columbia. At the suggestion Of the At
| torney General. the Secretary Of War
has called on Col. Langfitt. the engineer
officer !: charge Of the improvement of
the Potomac river for a report on the
subject.
In a recent letter to the Secretary of
War the Attorney General said that as
of the District of Columbia extended to
the high water line on the Virginia side
Of the Potomac all the land which may
be formed by filling or other work of
construction on the river bed VIII be the
property Of the United States.
1t appears that parcels Of such land
actually have been formed by accretion.
One of these Is on the Virginia shore, eX-
tending from the Aqueduct bridge to the
causeway to AnalOstan Island. Other par
cells are In the river just below the south
ern edge of Analostan Island on a line
with the training dixie erected at that
place. The shore line from that point to
the Highway bridge consists mainly of
the Arlington reservation and Alexander 8
Island. which is the southern approach to
the Highway bridge.
High Water Boundary.
1t is admitted that plans have been
made for Improvements which will result
in considerable extension of solid
ground in that section Of Virginia, with
the prospect that the entire area may be
reclaimed ultimately.
Because of that fact the Attorney Gen
eral has suggested that the present high
water line of the river on the Virginia
side be established and permanently
marked with view of preserving 1t as
definite boundary between the land OF
the United States and adjoining private
property. He says that three parcels or
land have been formed in that area since
the United States acquired its right there
and the question Of ownership may
arise.
There is a considerable amount Of land
below Analostan Island, said the Attor-
ney General. which was not included
within the original limits of Analostan
Island, being all the land between the
Georgetown channel and Little river. 1t
was artificially created by the United
States and is claimed as its properly. The
Attorney General suggests that this area
be fenced in and notices posted stating
the property rights Of the United States.