Legal Definitions - aquatic right

An aquatic right, also known as a water right, refers to the legal right to use water from a natural stream or an artificial canal for various purposes such as irrigation, power generation, and domestic use. This right is often associated with riparian rights, which are the rights of landowners whose property borders a body of water.

For example, a farmer who owns land along a river may have an aquatic right to use water from the river to irrigate their crops. Similarly, a homeowner who lives near a canal may have an aquatic right to use water from the canal for their household needs.

These rights are often regulated by state and federal laws to ensure that water resources are managed in a sustainable and equitable manner. The allocation of water rights can be a contentious issue, particularly in areas where water is scarce or in high demand.