Mississippi v. Arkansas

In this boundary dispute between Arkansas and Mississippi over an area known as Luna Bar in the abandoned bed of the Mississippi River between the upstream and downstream ends of Tarpley Cut-off, where Arkansas' Chicot County and Mississippi's Washington County adjoin, the report of the Special Master is adopted, in which he found that Luna Bar was formed by accretion resulting from the gradual westward movement of the Mississippi River, and is therefore part of the State of Mississippi, and not by avulsive process as claimed by Arkansas. Pp. 291–294.

BLACKMUN, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BURGER, C. J., and BRENNAN, STEWART, WHITE, MARSHALL, POWELL, and REHNQUIST, JJ., joined. DOUGLAS, J., filed a dissenting opinion, post, p. 294.

Mitchell E. Ward argued the cause for plaintiff. With him on the brief were Albioun F. Summer, Attorney General of Mississippi, and Martin R. McLendon, Assistant Attorney General.

William H. Drew argued the cause for defendant. With him on the brief was Jim Guy Tucker, Attorney General of Arkansas.