What are the various types of water rights?

Water rights refer to the legal right to use or control a certain amount of water in Vermont. The various types of water rights include riparian rights, appropriative rights, prescriptive rights, and other water rights that may be regulated by the state. Riparian rights apply to land owners near a body of water such as a river or lake. Under these rights, the landowner has the right to use the water for activities that are reasonable and necessary for their land. This can include activities such as irrigating crops or providing water for livestock. Appropriative rights allow individuals or entities to divert water from a river or stream for a specific purpose. Appropriative rights are granted by the state government and the amount of water allocated depends on the need for the water. These rights are most commonly used for irrigation, power generation, and domestic use. Prescriptive rights are similar to riparian rights in that they give landowners rights to use the water from a stream or river. The difference is that prescriptive rights are granted after an individual or entity has continuously used the water for a period of time. Lastly, states can regulate other types of water rights. This includes permitting activities such as entering a lake or stream with a boat or swimming in a lake. In Vermont, the Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for regulating these activities. Overall, there are a variety of water rights in Vermont that are regulated by the state government. Knowing the different types is important to ensure that individuals and entities are using the water legally and responsibly.

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What are the various types of water rights?

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