Riparian Water Rights Definition
Maryland s court of appeals has described riparian rights as follows.
Riparian water rights definition. The riparian right is usufructuary meaning that the landowner does not own the water itself but instead enjoys a right to use the water and its surface see usufruct. It is well established that the title to land under navigable water is in the state of maryland subject to the paramount right of the united states to protect navigation in the navigable waters. Riparian rights are the legal ownership rights of the land beneath the water its use or even access including the use of the water itself.
It has its origins in english common law. The rights which belong to landowners through whose property a natural watercourse runs to the benefit of such stream for all purposes to which it can be applied. Riparian rights are the allocation of water among those who possess land along its riparian rights are generally reserved for land abutting a natural watercourse.
Riparian rights are considered part and parcel of the land and are passed with title to the property. Riparian water rights exist in many jurisdictions with a common law heritage such as canada australia and states in the eastern u s. Long term storage of water for instance is considered an acceptable exercise of an appropriative right.
Riparian water rights are the rights that landowners have to make reasonable use of the water that abuts or flows through or over their properties. Riparian water rights or simply riparian rights is a system for allocating water among those who possess land about its source. Riparian water rights or simply riparian rights is a system for allocating water among those who possess land along its path.
A right as fishing or use of water for irrigation or power enjoyed by a person who owns riparian property. Examples of riparian rights include the right to build structures like docks or piers access to the water for the purposes of swimming or fishing and the right to exclusive use of the water on their property if the water is not navigable. In contrast the use of riparian water is limited to the watershed of the source from which the water is taken.
Riparian water rights synonyms riparian water rights pronunciation riparian water rights translation english dictionary definition of riparian water rights. The rights which belong to landowners through whose property a natural watercourse runs to the benefit of such stream for all purposes to which it can be applied. Riparian water as distinguished from flood water is the water that is below the highest line of normal flow of the river or stream.