What is a riparian right?

A riparian right is a legal term that refers to the rights of landowners whose property is adjacent to a flowing body of water, such as a river or stream. These rights grant the landowners the ability to access and use the water for various purposes, such as irrigation, recreation, or domestic use. The principle underlying riparian rights is that all landowners have a right to reasonable use of the water that flows past their property, provided that such use does not adversely affect others who also have riparian rights along the same body of water.

This concept is essential in water law, especially in areas where water is a valuable resource. It recognizes the interconnectedness of land and water, emphasizing that those who own land next to a body of water have specific rights associated with that proximity. Understanding riparian rights is crucial for professionals in real estate and environmental law, particularly in regions where water access impacts land use and property values.