Does the easement allow public use of the bed for any purpose?
The easement does not apply to all activities — it is limited to lawful recreational activities that are directly related to the use of the water. Where touching the bed of the water body is unnecessary to effectively enjoy or practically accomplish the recreational activity, public access is not allowed. For instance, walking the bed of a river to simply gain access to a parcel of public property for purposes of hunting, camping, or hiking is not directly related to the use of the water.
