N.C. Gen. Stat. § 77-10 (2026)
Draws in bridges
Whenever the navigation of any river or creek which, in the strict construction of law, might not be considered a navigable stream, shall be obstructed by any bridge across said stream, except those under the supervision and control of the Board of Transportation, it shall be lawful for any person owning any boat plying on said stream to make a draw in such bridge sufficient for the passage of such boat; and the party owning such boat shall construct and maintain such draw at his own expense, and shall use the same in such manner as to delay travel as little as possible. (1879, c. 279, ss. 1, 2; Code, s. 3719; Rev., s. 5307; C.S., s. 7374; 1965, c. 493; 1973, c. 507, s. 5.)
The board of county commissioners may establish public landings on any navigable stream or watercourse in the county upon petition in writing. Unless it shall appear to the board that the person owning the lands sought to be used for a public landing shall have had 20 days' notice of the intention to file such petition, the same shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the board until the succeeding meeting of the board, and notice thereof shall be posted during the same period at the courthouse door. At said meeting of the board, the allegations of the petition shall be heard, and if sufficient reason be shown, the board shall order the establishment of the public landing. The board shall at that time initiate proceedings under the Chapter entitled Eminent Domain. (1784, c. 206, s. 4; 1789, c. 303; 1790, c. 331, s. 3; 1793, c. 386; 1813, c. 862, s. 1; 1822, c. 1139, s. 2; R.C., c. 60, s. 1; c. 101, ss. 2, 4; 1869, c. 20, s. 8, subsec. 29; 1872-3, c. 189, s. 3; 1879, c. 82, s. 9; Code, ss. 2038, 2040, 2982; Rev., ss. 2684, 2685, 5308; 1917, c. 284, s. 33; 1919, c. 68; C.S., ss. 3667, 3762, 3763, 7375; 1981, c. 919, s. 10.)
Article 2.
Obstructions in Streams.