Statutory Water Rights Law And Related California Code Sections (As amended, including Statutes 2016)

The State Water Resources Control Board publishes this collection of California statutes pertaining to the law of water rights as part of its public information program. This booklet contains sections from the California Constitution, the California Water Code, and other related codes which affect water rights decisions.

This booklet is provided as a public service. It contains only excerpts of the Water Code. While every effort is made to assure accuracy, persons should consult the official version of the California Code when making legal decisions.

The California Legislative Counsel maintains the official code, which is accessible on the Internet at: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml.

In addition to the statutes contained in this booklet, decisions of the State Water Resources Control Board are guided by case law. A listing of major recent decisions is included.

In general, the statutes contained in this booklet govern the acquisition and exercise of rights to reasonable and beneficial use of surface waters (and of groundwater flowing in known and definite channels) by priority of appropriation initiated on or after December 19, 1914. That is the effective date of the Water Commission Act, which is the origin of many of the water right provisions of today’s Water Code.