Federal Common Law

State Statutes

Local Ordinances

International Treaties

Prior Appropriation

Riparian Rights

Absolute Ownership

Eminent Domain

The right to use water from a river or stream that flows through or borders one's property

The right to use water from a groundwater aquifer

The right to divert water from a river or stream for irrigation purposes

The right to use water for domestic purposes

The right to use water from a river or stream that flows through or borders one's property

The right to use water from a groundwater aquifer

The right to divert water from a river or stream for irrigation purposes

The right to use water for domestic purposes

Surface water rights are associated with land ownership, while groundwater rights are not.

Groundwater rights are associated with land ownership, while surface water rights are not.

Surface water rights are based on the principle of prior appropriation, while groundwater rights are not.

Groundwater rights are based on the principle of prior appropriation, while surface water rights are not.

To establish ownership of a body of water

To regulate the use of water

To generate revenue for the government

To protect the environment

Riparian rights, prior appropriation rights, and groundwater rights

Surface water rights, groundwater rights, and consumptive use rights

Domestic use rights, agricultural use rights, and industrial use rights

Federal rights, state rights, and local rights

The principle that landowners have a right to use water from a river or stream that flows through or borders their property

The principle that water rights are based on the principle of prior appropriation

The principle that water rights are limited to beneficial use

The principle that water rights can be transferred or sold

To reduce water usage

To improve water quality

To protect aquatic ecosystems

All of the above

To regulate water use

To allocate water rights

To resolve water disputes

All of the above

Climate change

Population growth

Pollution

All of the above

Economic losses

Social unrest

Environmental degradation

All of the above

Water conservation

Water reuse

Desalination

All of the above

Water rights provide a legal framework for the allocation and use of water resources.

Water rights help to prevent conflicts over water use.

Water rights promote efficient and equitable water use.

All of the above

The determination of water rights

The transfer of water rights

The enforcement of water rights

All of the above