53 Pa. Stat. § 16831
The waters in rivers outside of low water mark being the property of the commonwealth, no owner of land inside of said low water mark shall be authorized to erect any wharf, or to extend one already built, in the port of Philadelphia, without first procuring a license so to do from the board of wardens of the port, as provided by existing laws: Provided, That the riparian owner or proprietor of any land in the said port of Philadelphia, heretofore or hereafter appropriated or dedicated to public use, for the purpose of widening Delaware avenue, or for the purpose of any street, avenue, or highway, under or by virtue of any existing law, his or their heirs, successors, or assigns, shall be deemed and regarded an "owner of land inside of low water-mark," within the meaning and intent of this section, notwithstanding such appropriation or dedication.
53 P.S. § 16831