The Doctrine of Prior Appropriation

The Doctrine of Prior Appropriation is a water rights principle primarily used in the western United States. It assigns water rights based on a "first in time, first in right" system. This means that the first person to divert and use water from a source (like a river) has the right to continue using that water, even during shortages. This doctrine prioritizes beneficial use and discourages waste, allowing farmers, cities, and others to secure their water needs legally, ensuring that those who have established their use earlier have priority over newer users.