What is riparian law?

Riparian law is a legal term referring to water law in California. It is the legal principle that individuals who own land which borders a body of water—such as a stream, lake, or river—have certain rights and responsibilities to the water. Riparian rights exist to provide individuals with access to water for legitimate uses such as domestic or recreational use, or for livestock, crops, and other activities related to land-ownership. Riparian law can also determine how much water each landowner is entitled to and how it is to be used. Generally, riparian rights require that each landowner use their water in reasonable ways that do not infringe upon the water rights of other riparian owners. This means that landowners cannot draw more water than is necessary for their own use and cannot discharge pollutants into the water that would damage another riparian owner’s water rights. Riparian law is an important set of rules in California that affects the use of water and its quality. It allows landowners to benefit from the water flowing through their property while still taking into account the rights of other water users. Furthermore, riparian law ensures that water resources are managed in a way that preserves the environment and protects public health.

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