riparian rights

Definition

Property rights of landowners whose property borders rivers or streams, governing water use and access. The reason your creek-front property doesn't mean you own the water or can dam it up.

Example Usage

Her riparian rights allowed reasonable water use for irrigation but prohibited actions that diminished flow to downstream properties.

Origin

From Latin 'riparius' meaning 'of the riverbank,' codified in English common law

Fun Fact

Western states follow the 'prior appropriation' doctrine instead, where first users get priority—creating a completely different water rights system that confuses everyone.

Source: Water rights law and riparian doctrine standards

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