Owen Roberts, United States v. Willow River Power Company…
“ Croix River below ordinary high-water level, and this seems to be true. But the fact is irrelevant.The respondent owned the land on either side of the Willow River at and above the point where its dam was constructed. Under the law of Wisconsin the respondent owned the bed of Willow River, and both by common and statute law of Wisconsin it had the right to erect and use the dam. [2] That right was property; and such a right recognized as private property by the law of a state is one which under the Constitution the federal government is bound to recognize. Monongahela Nav. Co. ”
