The Law of Water Rights in the Western United States

The Law of Water Rights in the Western U.S. determines how water from shared sources, like rivers and streams, is allocated among users such as farmers, cities, and industries. It follows the doctrine of "prior appropriation," meaning those who first used the water for beneficial purposes hold priority rights. Rights are recorded and can be bought or sold. The law emphasizes securing water for existing uses before new claims, often leading to a hierarchy where earlier appropriators have priority during shortages. This system manages water fairly amid scarcity, balancing various needs in arid regions.