See appropriative water rights, correlative water rights, littoral rights, right of correlative user, right of prior appropriation, riparian rights State of CA—State Water Resources Control Board Department of Water Rights
the right to use thewater from a stream to operate a mill. Usually obtained by agreement witha landowner througharbiration by court and state approval.
A legally protected right to take possession of water occurring in a natural waterway and to divert that water for beneficial use.
"Priority claims to water. In western States, water rights are based on the principle "first in time, first in right," meaning older claims take precedence over newer ones."
Real estate term referring to ownership interest in bodies of water along a property owner's parcel, as well as the right to draw large amounts of water from such sources. Water rights held by property owners vary according to state and situation, and include riparian rights, littoral rights and prior appropriation rights. For more information, see the "Introduction to Water Rights" article in the "Real Estate In-Depth" section.
The legal rights to the use of water. Prior Appropriation A concept in water law under which users who demonstrate an earlier use of the water from a particular source are said to have rights over all later users of the water from the same source. Riparian Rights A concept of water law under which authorization to use water in a stream is based on ownership of the land adjacent to the stream.
The legal right to use water from a water course or body of water on a property.
Common law right held by owners of land adjacent to rivers, lakes, or oceans, and includes restrictions on those rights and land ownership.
A legal right to use the water from a natural stream or canal for such purposes as irrigation, power, or private consumption.