Commencing Jan. 1, 2004 , with certain narrow exceptions, state law prohibits the operation of motor vehicles in almost all Texas riverbeds.

The new law pertains to any "navigable river or stream" in Texas except for the Canadian River and certain segments of the Red River .  The law prohibits motor vehicles from operating in "that portion of the bed, bottom, or bank of any navigable river or stream that lies at or below the gradient boundary of the river or stream."  A river or stream is “navigable” if it “retains an average width of 30 or more feet from the mouth or confluence up."  The law broadly defines motor vehicles as "any wheeled or tracked vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer, or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used to transport a person or thing."

Game wardens, local sheriffs and other peace officers are responsible for enforcing the new law.  A first offense is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of as much as $500. Repeat offenders could face higher fines and jail time.

For further information, you can visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website at (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/texaswater/rivers/mvindex.phtml ).