On a navigable river the public has the right to use the river up to the ordinary high water mark.
The “ordinary high water mark” is defined as, "that line on the shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as a clear, natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas."
Consider the rivers in Southeast Missouri. They can drop as much as 18 inches during the dog days of summer, creating a vast amount of land below the ordinary high water mark for camping, swimming and relaxation.
Thus, if a recreational user enters the stream legally, according to the aforementioned legal precedents, that user has the right to use the river bank up to the line of the “ordinary high water mark.”
Once again, the public has no right to cross private property to get to the gravel bar, the river or any other natural area.
By acting responsibly, landowners and recreational users can come to terms regarding access rights. By choosing not to take matters into their own hands and educating themselves on legal precedence, disagreement will become a thing of the past and everyone can "own the stream" together.