Legal Definitions - riparian rights

Riparian rights are the rights that a person who owns land next to a river or stream has to use the water in that river or stream. These rights are like special privileges that come with owning land next to a body of water.

Some examples of riparian rights include:

• The right to use the water for things like drinking, farming, and recreation
• The right to use the shoreline and have access to the water
• The right to any land that is formed by the water moving or changing over time
• The right to have the water flow to the land without anything blocking it
• The right to build things like piers or other structures to help with navigation

These rights are important because they allow people who own land next to a river or stream to use the water in a way that benefits them. For example, a farmer might use the water to irrigate their crops, or a family might use the water for swimming or fishing.

However, it's important to remember that these rights are limited by public policy and other legal agreements. For example, the public trust doctrine means that the government has a responsibility to protect the water and the land around it for everyone, not just the people who own land next to it. And if someone buys land next to a river or stream, the deed they sign might limit their rights to use the water in certain ways.