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Can A Town Deny Access To A Navigable River For Months?

The town I live in has recently finished building a kayak/surf play wave in the local river, they are still working on the adjacent park and parking area but the wave is finished. The local town is trying to claim the river and wave is "closed" until they finish work on the adjacent park and parking area.

People are able to access this wave from a nearby public water access point that is NOT closed. If I launch my kayak from this point, paddle over and surf the wave and return to this same point without touching any private or closed off land can I get in trouble? The local police are harassing the kayakers telling them the river is "closed" until the park is finished in October. This project is already years behind schedule and I highly doubt they will be finished by October.

This is a navigable river with loads of public access points along it that are all currently OPEN, I don't think the police have the authority to claim the river is closed or issue trespassing tickets if a kayaker uses the newly constructed wave. It's very safe and there is no danger in accessing this area currently.

I've read police can close access points but I don't think they can declare a river to be closed. I'm no lawyer, what's your guys thoughts on this subject? I've always been told navigable waterways are public property.

Location: North Carolina, Woodfin

submitted by /u/_DaggerKayak_
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Can A Town Deny Access To A Navigable River For Months?

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