Riparian water rights

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-024348",
  "term": "Riparian water rights",
  "field": "Environment",
  "term_source": "Riparian Water Rights",
  "definition": "1. The rights of an owner whose land abuts water. They differ from state to state and often depend on whether the water is a river, lake, or ocean. The doctrine of riparian rights is an old one, having its origins in English common law. Specifically, persons who own land adjacent to a stream have the right to make reasonable use of the stream. Riparian users of a stream share the streamflow among themselves, and the concept of priority of use (Prior Appropriation Doctrine) is not applicable. Riparian rights cannot be sold or transferred for use on nonriparian land.\n\n2. Entitlement of a land owner to certain uses of water on or bordering his property, including the right to prevent diversion or misuse of upstream waters. Generally a matter of state law.",
  "subject": "Social and economic factors",
  "references": [
    "USGS Water Science Glossary of Terms",
    "Adapted from Aquatic Biodiversity Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/riparian-water-rights/"
}