River Boundary Hard to Understand, in Pennsylvania

[riverStump]

I am trying to prepare a definitive paper that documents the current border between York and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania.

A local historical society curator thinks it was defined by the Provincial Assembly as "3 feet from the western shore" when York County separated from Lancaster County in 1749. But he can't remember where he read it and could not provide a reference. He believes that most all of the Susquehanna River lies in Lancaster, but they wanted to make York County responsible for boat launches from its shore. Local York County residents use this rule: as soon as you step in the water, you are in Lancaster County.

A deed search of an historic riverfront property in the York County courthouse defines property boundaries down to the "LOW WATER MARK". This is well beyond 3 feet off shore in the spring. Three hydroelectric dams were subsequently constructed in the early 1900s, moving the shoreline back quite a distance at certain points. The deed states that the property line is now under water. Some of the border is still natural. Could the border have moved once the reservoirs filled?

I don't need to know precisely where the border is. Just in general terms so if I see bird on the river, I can make a reasonable guess as to what county it should be credited to.

Is this too much of a task for an amateur? or should I hire a legal reseacher? or should I just quit?

[aaron]

I would try to find somebody at a college or university who is into these issues. I grant it may be difficult to find somebody, but if you do they'll probably be able to provide an avalanche of information.