State of Oklahoma v. State of Texas (United States, Intervener)

Background

The states of Texas and Oklahoma, with the United States as intervener, had appointed commissioners to run, locate, and mark the boundary along the south bank of the Red River. The commissioners reported they surveyed and marked the portion called the Fort Augur Area, completed October 10, 1924, and dated the boundary position as of September 3, 1924, with accompanying maps and detailed monument and witness post descriptions.

Reasoning

The central question was whether the Court would accept and confirm the commissioners’ field report and maps as the official boundary in that area. The Court notes no objections or exceptions were presented within the time allowed. The Court therefore adjudged and decreed the report confirmed and declared the line shown on the report and maps to be the true boundary between Texas and Oklahoma for the Fort Augur area, subject to prior-specified rules about natural erosion and accretion.

Real world impact

The decree makes the surveyed and mapped line the official state boundary in this stretch of the Red River. The clerk is ordered to send authenticated copies of the decree and maps to the chief magistrates of Texas and Oklahoma, and copies were sent to the Attorneys General and other interested parties. The ruling is final for this report but recognizes the boundary may shift later by natural erosion or accretion as previously specified.