Prior Appropriation

Prior appropriation is a principle used in water rights, particularly in the western United States. It follows the idea of "first in time, first in right," meaning that the first person to use a certain amount of water for beneficial purposes has the right to continue using that water. This system prioritizes established water users over later users, essentially granting rights based on previous use rather than land ownership. It aims to manage water resources in areas where water is scarce and ensures that those who need it for farming, industry, or other purposes have secure access.