What is the difference between riparian and prior appropriation water rights?

Riparian and prior appropriation water rights are two different types of water rights laws in Virginia. Riparian rights are rights that are granted to the owners of land that abuts a river, stream, or other body of water. The owner of riparian land has the legal right to use a reasonable amount of water that flows through, in, or on their land, but they can not use the water in a way that would cause harm to other riparian owners. Prior appropriation rights are rights granted to those who make reasonable use of the water, regardless of their ownership of land. This includes rights to divert water for irrigation, mining, or other beneficial uses. Riparian rights are based on property ownership and are usually determined by the common law or by state statutes. These rights are considered to be a natural right that comes with owning land that abuts water. Prior appropriation rights, on the other hand, are based on the principle of “first in time, first in right”. This means that the first person to put the water to beneficial use gains the most water rights. These rights can be sold or transferred, and can be lost if the water is not put to reasonable use for a certain amount of time. In conclusion, riparian and prior appropriation water rights are two different types of water rights laws in Virginia. Riparian rights are based on property ownership and prior appropriation rights are based on the principle of “first in time, first in right.”

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What is the difference between riparian and prior appropriation water rights?

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