What process allows Owner A to gain land area when the high water mark in a river recedes?

The process that allows Owner A to gain land area when the high water mark in a river recedes is known as reliction. Reliction occurs when water levels decrease, revealing previously submerged land. This situation grants the landowner the rights to claim that newly exposed land as part of their property, thus increasing their land area.

Understanding reliction is crucial in the context of property rights because it directly impacts ownership as water bodies change their boundaries. It is a gradual process that contrasts with other mechanisms, ensuring that owners can capitalize on changes to land usage as water marks shift over time. This principle underlines a fundamental aspect of land ownership near waterways in California.