Kansas v. Missouri
Docket: 8, Original
Court: Supreme Court of the United States; November 6, 1950; Federal Supreme Court; Federal Appellate Court
The Supreme Court of the United States addressed a joint motion from the States of Kansas and Missouri, seeking to amend a prior decree regarding the boundary between the two states. Originally established on June 5, 1944, the boundary was modified following an agreement reached by both states through their legislatures, which was subsequently ratified by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and approved by the President on August 3, 1950 (Public Law 637). The amended decree establishes the boundary line between Kansas and Missouri as the middle line of the main navigable channel of the Missouri River, extending from the intersection of the river with the 40th parallel north latitude to the middle of the mouth of the Kaw (Kansas) River. This boundary is subject to natural changes due to accretion and reliction, but not to changes from avulsion. Additionally, the decree stipulates that the costs of the suit will be shared equally between Kansas and Missouri.