Water in California - Water Rights

Water Rights

On more than one occasion, the California Supreme Court has noted that “he scope and technical complexity of issues concerning water resource management are unequalled by virtually any other type of activity presented to the courts." An example of this complexity is demonstrated in the case of National Audubon Society v. Superior Court.

Water rights are divided in multiple ways. Water rights to surface water and underground sources are separate. Also, California recognizes four distinct types of water rights to surface water in its statutory and common law: pueblo, riparian, prior appropriation, and water reserved by the U.S. A fifth statutory right also provides area of origin watershed rights.

Read more about this topic:  Water In California

Famous quotes containing the words water and/or rights:

    “Ice is an interesting subject for contemplation. They told me that they had some in the ice-houses at Fresh Pond five years old which was as good as ever. Why is it that a bucket of water soon becomes putrid, but frozen remains sweet forever? It is commonly said that this is the difference between the affections and the intellect.”
    —Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    “Let woman share the rights and she will emulate the virtues of man; for she must grow more perfect when emancipated ...”
    —Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797)