Oklahoma v. Texas
Headline: Court confirms survey and establishes Texas–Oklahoma boundary along the Red River Big Bend, approving commissioners’ maps and marking the bank line that determines nearby land and oil well positions.
Holding:
- Defines state ownership and control for land along the Big Bend riverbank.
- Clarifies which state controls oil wells near the river for taxation and regulation.
- Requires governors receive authenticated maps and the court’s decree.
Summary
Background
The dispute involved the States of Texas and Oklahoma over the exact boundary along the south bank of the Red River in the Big Bend Area. Two commissioners, Arthur D. Kidder and Arthur A. Stiles, were appointed to run, locate, and mark the boundary. They surveyed from April 16, 1923 to February 17, 1924, prepared detailed maps (three numbered maps and sheets), located all oil wells within 300 feet of the line, and filed a written report dated April 25, 1924 with maps and field notes.
Reasoning
The Court considered the commissioners’ report together with objections and protests. The commissioners followed the Court’s earlier guidance about using the river’s south cut bank and the mean water levels to find a gradient line that represents the boundary. They marked the line with witness posts, reference monuments, and permanent benchmarks, and showed oil well positions relative to that line. The Court overruled the exceptions and protests and confirmed the report and its maps, declaring the located line to be the true boundary as described in the report.
Real world impact
The ruling fixes the boundary position for landowners, oil operators, and state officials in the Big Bend area, and clarifies which state controls specific parcels and nearby oil wells. The decision is subject to future natural changes: the line may shift later if erosion or accretion changes the riverbank as the Court’s earlier decree explained. The Clerk must send authenticated copies of the decree and maps to the States’ chief officials.
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