Wyoming Water Law

Wyoming water law primarily follows the doctrine of prior appropriation, which means that water rights are granted based on "first in time, first in right." This means that the first person to use a water source for beneficial purposes has priority over later users. Water rights are distinct from land ownership and must be legally obtained and maintained. Users must demonstrate beneficial use, such as irrigation or domestic purposes. Additionally, Wyoming has specific regulations for managing water resources to address competing needs, including agriculture, municipalities, and environmental concerns.