Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102
§565 River and Harbor Improvement by Private or Municipal Enterprise
Title 33 › CHAPTER 12 — RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY › SUBCHAPTER I — GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 565
Summary
Private people, companies, or local governments may improve a navigable river at their own expense and risk if the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Engineers approve the plans. The work must follow the Government’s plan, not hinder navigation, charge no tolls, and stay under their control.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §565
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Any person or persons, corporations, municipal or private, who desire to improve any navigable river, or any part thereof, at their or its own expense and risk may do so upon the approval of the plans and specifications of said proposed improvement by the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Engineers of the Army. The plan of said improvement must conform with the general plan of the Government improvements, must not impede navigation, and no toll shall be imposed on account thereof, and said improvement shall at all times be under the control and supervision of the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Engineers.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section is from act June 13, 1902, popularly known as the “Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act for 1902”. The provisions of this section followed an appropriation for emergencies.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act
July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. section 205(a) of act
July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted “Title 10, Armed Forces” which in sections 3010 to 3013 continued Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.
Construction
of CanalThe consent of Congress was given to the
Construction
of a ship canal along the Government right of way connecting the waters of Puget Sound with Lake Washington, said canal, when completed, to be turned over to the United States, by act June 11, 1906, ch. 3072, 34 Stat. 231.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 565
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102