diff --git a/docs/status.md b/docs/status.md
index 672c80cf..991d813d 100644
--- a/docs/status.md
+++ b/docs/status.md
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ Implemented (working in normal use):
 In progress / known gaps:
 
 - Transports: M2 transports (trams) working with position-delta riding; WMO transports (ships, zeppelins) working with path following; some edge cases remain
-- Visual edge cases: some M2/WMO rendering gaps (character shin mesh, some particle effects)
+- Visual edge cases: some M2/WMO rendering gaps (some particle effects)
 - Lava steam particles: sparse in some areas (tuning opportunity)
-- Water refraction: available in Settings; barrier srcAccessMask fix (2026-03-18) removed prior VK_ERROR_DEVICE_LOST on AMD/Mali GPUs
+- Water refraction: enabled by default; srcAccessMask barrier fix (2026-03-18) resolved prior VK_ERROR_DEVICE_LOST on AMD/Mali GPUs
 
 ## Where To Look
 
diff --git a/include/ui/game_screen.hpp b/include/ui/game_screen.hpp
index e76d2e12..0054bf05 100644
--- a/include/ui/game_screen.hpp
+++ b/include/ui/game_screen.hpp
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ private:
     int pendingResIndex = 0;
     bool pendingShadows = true;
     float pendingShadowDistance = 300.0f;
-    bool pendingWaterRefraction = false;
+    bool pendingWaterRefraction = true;
     int pendingBrightness = 50; // 0-100, maps to 0.0-2.0 (50 = 1.0 default)
     int pendingMasterVolume = 100;
     int pendingMusicVolume = 30;