How come you camp so close to a lake or stream? 100' set back

Looking at some camping pics and personal observations, people camp too close to water. Usually you have to be 50' to 100' from the high water mark. Maybe ocean camping is different, but the mountains have different environmental concerns. Even some backpackers can't get it right.
Duane

 

I'm guessing this all depends on regional regulations. I camp where the campsites are and in many places they are often next to a river or a lake. And in places like the Boundary Waters, they are all on the water's edge.

 

Established campsites are different, they can be directly on a river, stream, lake or whatever. Not established needs to follow special restrictions. Here in NH I think it's 300 feet from a water source in the White Mountains? IIRC.

 

I try to use existing sites unless they are a few feet from water. If I'm using a existing site, I dump cooking water and toothpaste 100' away from a water source. I tore down a fire pit 10 years ago, later that day a backpacker used that site and rebuilt it, all within 10' of the lake, then left toilet paper right next to the trail, alongside the tracks the wheeled ice chest made they dragged in.
Duane

 

Another thing to consider is flash flooding. People die when the river rises unexpectedly in the middle of the night.

 

It probably depends on the waterway and the terrain, and if you're in an official park.

 

Nice photopic.

 

Have to? Some of use don’t like putting a tent up in the alders.