{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/62.1-81.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/62.1-81.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/62.1-81.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/62.1-81.html"}],"law_id":63281,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63281,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-81","catch_line":"“Waters of the Commonwealth” defined","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 62-69; 1956, c. 229; 1968, c. 659.","full_text":"The term “waters of the Commonwealth” as used in this chapter shall mean: (a) Any stream or that portion of any stream in this Commonwealth which prior to June 21, 1932, has been declared navigable by any unrepealed statute of this Commonwealth, or (b) any stream or that portion of any stream in this Commonwealth, the bed of which is owned by the Commonwealth, or (c) those parts of streams or other bodies of water in this Commonwealth which either in their natural or improved condition, notwithstanding interruptions between the navigable parts of such streams or waters by falls, shallows, or rapids, compelling land carriage, are used or suitable for use for the transportation of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce, including therein all such interrupting falls, shallows or rapids, and also any stream or part thereof in this Commonwealth other than those above mentioned in this subdivision in which the construction of any dam or works as authorized by this chapter would affect the interests of interstate or foreign commerce, or (d) that portion of any river or stream flowing between the high-water mark on the Virginia shore and the low-water mark when such low-water mark constitutes the boundary line between Virginia and another state.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":230622,"text":"The term “waters of the Commonwealth” as used in this chapter shall mean: (a) Any stream or that portion of any stream in this Commonwealth which prior to June 21, 1932, has been declared navigable by any unrepealed statute of this Commonwealth, or (b) any stream or that portion of any stream in this Commonwealth, the bed of which is owned by the Commonwealth, or (c) those parts of streams or other bodies of water in this Commonwealth which either in their natural or improved condition, notwithstanding interruptions between the navigable parts of such streams or waters by falls, shallows, or rapids, compelling land carriage, are used or suitable for use for the transportation of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce, including therein all such interrupting falls, shallows or rapids, and also any stream or part thereof in this Commonwealth other than those above mentioned in this subdivision in which the construction of any dam or works as authorized by this chapter would affect the interests of interstate or foreign commerce, or (d) that portion of any river or stream flowing between the high-water mark on the Virginia shore and the low-water mark when such low-water mark constitutes the boundary line between Virginia and another state.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13566,"edition_id":1,"name":"Water-Power Development, Conservation of Hydroelectric Power Dams and Works","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12909,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:16","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:16","permalink":{"id":270449,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13566,"identifier":"7","token":"62.1\/7","url":"\/62.1\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12909,"edition_id":1,"name":"Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors","identifier":"62.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","permalink":{"id":268199,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12909,"identifier":"62.1","token":"62.1","url":"\/62.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":54529,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-100","catch_line":"Rules of Commission; reports; employment of experts, etc","url":"\/62.1-100\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-100","metadata":false},{"id":64266,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-101","catch_line":"Licenses not affected by alteration, amendment or repeal of chapter","url":"\/62.1-101\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-101","metadata":false},{"id":62102,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-102","catch_line":"Alteration or amendment of license","url":"\/62.1-102\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-102","metadata":false},{"id":62125,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-103","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of United States","url":"\/62.1-103\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-103","metadata":false},{"id":65074,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-80","catch_line":"Declaration of public policy","url":"\/62.1-80\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-80","metadata":false},{"id":76400,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-80.1","catch_line":"Applicability of chapter","url":"\/62.1-80.1\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-80.1","metadata":false},{"id":63281,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-81","catch_line":"\"Waters of the Commonwealth\" defined","url":"\/62.1-81\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-81","metadata":false},{"id":72157,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-82","catch_line":"Control and regulation by State Corporation Commission; existing rights of riparian owners","url":"\/62.1-82\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-82","metadata":false},{"id":76133,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-83","catch_line":"Dams across waters of Commonwealth","url":"\/62.1-83\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-83","metadata":false},{"id":85122,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-84","catch_line":"What \"dam\" includes","url":"\/62.1-84\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-84","metadata":false},{"id":55141,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-85","catch_line":"License required to construct dam; application","url":"\/62.1-85\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-85","metadata":false},{"id":61496,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-86","catch_line":"Notice of hearing on application","url":"\/62.1-86\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-86","metadata":false},{"id":86050,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-87","catch_line":"Proceedings at hearing","url":"\/62.1-87\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-87","metadata":false},{"id":68856,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-88","catch_line":"Determination and investigation by Commission","url":"\/62.1-88\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-88","metadata":false},{"id":54636,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-89","catch_line":"When license granted","url":"\/62.1-89\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-89","metadata":false},{"id":84729,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-90","catch_line":"Rejection of application; requiring applicant to modify plans","url":"\/62.1-90\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-90","metadata":false},{"id":61211,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-91","catch_line":"Terms and conditions of license; preventing obstruction of navigation or flow; dams across navigable waters of United States","url":"\/62.1-91\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-91","metadata":false},{"id":58754,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-92","catch_line":"Priority of location or appropriation; notice to owners of existing developments","url":"\/62.1-92\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-92","metadata":false},{"id":86436,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-93","catch_line":"Time limits on construction of proposed dam and works","url":"\/62.1-93\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-93","metadata":false},{"id":70189,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-94","catch_line":"Duration of licenses; acquisition of developments by Commonwealth","url":"\/62.1-94\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-94","metadata":false},{"id":81079,"structure_id":13566,"section_number":"62.1-95","catch_line":"Value of license not to be estimated in valuation for rate making, etc.; 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existing rights of riparian owners","url":"\/62.1-82\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-82","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/62.1-81\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1956, chapter 229; in 1968, chapter 659.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76133,"section_number":"62.1-83","catch_line":"Dams across waters of Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-83\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":270475,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63281,"identifier":"62.1-81","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-81","url":"\/62.1-81\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/62.1-81\/","token":"62.1\/7\/62.1-81","dublin_core":{"Title":"“Waters of the Commonwealth” defined","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 62.1-81","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The term “waters of the Commonwealth” as used in this chapter shall mean: (a) Any stream or that portion of any stream in this Commonwealth which prior to June 21, 1932, has been declared navigable by any unrepealed statute<\/span> of this Commonwealth, or (b) any stream or that portion of any stream in this Commonwealth, the bed of which is owned by the Commonwealth, or (c) those parts of streams or other bodies of water in this Commonwealth which either in their natural or improved condition, notwithstanding interruptions between the navigable parts of such streams or waters by falls, shallows, or rapids, compelling land carriage, are used or suitable for use for the transportation of persons or property in interstate or foreign commerce, including therein all such interrupting falls, shallows or rapids, and also any stream or part thereof in this Commonwealth other than those above mentioned in this subdivision in which the construction of any dam or works as authorized by this chapter would affect the interests of interstate or foreign commerce, or (d) that portion of any river or stream flowing between the high-water mark on the Virginia shore and the low-water mark when such low-water mark constitutes the boundary line between Virginia and another state.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n“WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH” DEFINED (\u00a7 62.1-81)\n\nThe term “waters of the Commonwealth” as used in this chapter shall\nmean: (a) Any stream or that portion of any stream in this Commonwealth which\nprior to June 21, 1932, has been declared navigable by any unrepealed statute of\nthis Commonwealth, or (b) any stream or that portion of any stream in this\nCommonwealth, the bed of which is owned by the Commonwealth, or (c) those parts\nof streams or other bodies of water in this Commonwealth which either in their\nnatural or improved condition, notwithstanding interruptions between the\nnavigable parts of such streams or waters by falls, shallows, or rapids,\ncompelling land carriage, are used or suitable for use for the transportation of\npersons or property in interstate or foreign commerce, including therein all\nsuch interrupting falls, shallows or rapids, and also any stream or part thereof\nin this Commonwealth other than those above mentioned in this subdivision in\nwhich the construction of any dam or works as authorized by this chapter would\naffect the interests of interstate or foreign commerce, or (d) that portion of\nany river or stream flowing between the high-water mark on the Virginia shore\nand the low-water mark when such low-water mark constitutes the boundary line\nbetween Virginia and another state.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 62-69; 1956, c. 229; 1968, c. 659.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}