What are the various types of water rights?

In Oregon, water rights are defined as the legal ability to access, use, and enjoy certain water resources. There are three main types of water rights in Oregon: Appropriative Rights, Riparian Rights, and Prescriptive Rights. Appropriative Rights are granted for a specific purpose and may come with restrictions. These rights are granted by a Water Resources Department for a defined period of time. Appropriative Rights are the most common form of water rights in Oregon, and are granted based on the prior appropriation doctrine, which means whoever makes a claim to the water first gets the right to use it. Riparian Rights give access to water for landowners whose property is adjacent to a river or other body of water. This type of water right is based on ownership of the land, and the amount of use is determined by an equal-share doctrine. Prescriptive Rights are the least common type of water right in Oregon. These are acquired by occupying the land and using the water for a certain period of time. This type of water right can only be used if the water is considered a public resource, and it must be acquired in good faith. Overall, water rights in Oregon are an important part of protecting access to resources for private and public users. Knowing the types of rights and how to obtain them can help to ensure the responsible and equitable use of water resources.

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What are the various types of water rights?

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