How do riparian and prior appropriation systems differ in their approach to water rights?

Riparian and prior appropriation systems are two different ways that states use to determine and manage water rights. In Washington, both systems are used to define and manage water rights. Riparian systems are based on the premise that property owners along a river or stream have a natural right to use the water found there. This right is called a riparian right and is based on the assumption that property owners have the right to make reasonable use of the water in the stream. This is known as the doctrine of reasonable use. Under this system, water rights are assigned to the riparian owner based on how much land they own that is adjacent to, or near, the water source. Prior appropriation systems are based on a different set of rules. This system focuses less on property boundaries and more on who was the first to use the water for a certain purpose. Under this system, people who are the first to use the water for a certain purpose will have the right to continue to use that water. This right is referred to as a ‘first in time, first in right’ approach. This approach can be used to determine who has the right to use the water in a situation where there is a limited amount of water and multiple people are trying to use it. In Washington, both riparian and prior appropriation systems are used for determining water rights. While the two systems have different approaches, they have the same goal of ensuring that people have the right to use water for a variety of purposes without conflicting with the rights of others.

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How do riparian and prior appropriation systems differ in their approach to water rights?

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