Legal Definitions - riparian rights

Riparian rights refer to the legal entitlements that come with owning land that borders a natural body of flowing water, such as a river or stream. These rights allow the landowner, known as a riparian owner, to make certain reasonable uses of the water and the adjacent shoreline.

While these are considered private property rights, they are not absolute. They are typically subject to public interests, such as the public's right to use navigable waters (often referred to as the public trust doctrine), and can also be limited by specific property deeds, local regulations, or state laws.

Here are some examples illustrating riparian rights:

• Example 1: Recreational Access

  Sarah owns a house with a backyard that extends directly to the edge of a small, non-navigable river. She enjoys kayaking and wants to launch her kayak directly from her property into the river for a leisurely paddle.

  This scenario illustrates Sarah's riparian right to access the river from her land and use its waters for reasonable recreational purposes. Her ownership of the riverfront property grants her the specific entitlement to launch her kayak and enjoy the water directly from her property.

• Example 2: Agricultural Water Use

  A family farm, "Green Valley Produce," is situated along a creek. During dry spells, the farm owner needs to draw water from the creek to irrigate their vegetable crops, which are essential for their livelihood.

  The farm's ability to reasonably draw water from the creek for agricultural purposes, such as irrigation, is a fundamental riparian right. This demonstrates the entitlement of a riparian landowner to use the water bordering their property for productive activities on their land, provided such use is reasonable and does not unduly harm other riparian owners or public interests.

• Example 3: Shoreline Protection

  Mark owns a cabin on a riverbank, and over several years, natural erosion has started to threaten his property line, causing parts of his land to wash into the river. He wants to install some natural rock barriers along the bank to prevent further soil loss and protect his property.

  Mark's right to protect his land from erosion by constructing reasonable and appropriate structures along the riverbank is an aspect of his riparian rights. This illustrates the right to maintain and protect the integrity of the land bordering the waterway, ensuring the stability of his property.