The seven Colorado River Basin states letter to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 5/22/23

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | May 22nd, 2023

The Status of Tribal Water Rights in the Colorado River Basin

Water and Tribes Initiative | April 9th, 2021

There are 30 federally recognized tribes in the Colorado River Basin. Twenty two of these tribes have recognized rights to use 3.2 million-acre feet (maf) of Colorado Riv

There are 30 federally recognized tribes in the Colorado River Basin. Twenty two of these tribes have recognized rights to use 3.2 million-acre feet (maf) of Colorado River system water annually, or approximately 22 to 26 percent of the Basin’s average annual water supply. In addition, 12 of the tribes have unresolved water rights claims, which will likely increase the overall volume of tribal water rights in the Basin. Under the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decree in Arizona v. California, all tribal water uses are counted against the apportionments made to the states. Tribes’ rights are generally senior to state law-based water rights.

The Transfer of Water Rights In California: Background and Issues

Governor's Commission to Review Water Rights Law | December 1st, 1977

This paper is part of a series of background and issue papers prepared by the staff of the Governor's Commission to Review Water Rights Law. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. 

This paper is part of a series of background and issue papers prepared by the staff of the Governor's Commission to Review Water Rights Law. TABLE OF CONTENTS I.  Water is a Marketable Resource II.  Legal Impediments to Water Rights Transfers in California III.  A Selective Review of Recent Water Rights Transfers in California IV.  Issues

The Water Rights Process

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | June 1st, 2002

A water right is a legal entitlement authorizing water to be diverted from a specified source and put to beneficial, nonwasteful use. Water rights are property rights, bu

A water right is a legal entitlement authorizing water to be diverted from a specified source and put to beneficial, nonwasteful use. Water rights are property rights, but their holders do not own the water itself – they possess the right to use it. Some water rights require a permit or license from the State Water Resources Control Board, whose objective is to ensure that the state’s waters are put to the best possible use and that the public interest is served. In making decisions, the Board must keep three goals in mind: • Developing water resources in an orderly manner. • Preventing waste and unreasonable use of water. • Protecting the environment. The State Board’s duties are not limited to permits and licenses. It may be called upon to adjudicate water for entire systems or to act as a “referee” or fact-finder in court cases involving water rights.

Time Limits for Western Water Rights

Natural Resources and Environment (SSRN) | November 1st, 2022

Tribal Water Study: An Overview

Water and Tribes Initiative | October 28th, 2019

The purpose of this policy brief is to provide an overview of the Colorado River Basin Ten Tribes Partnership Tribal Water Study (Study), a unique review of the water rig

The purpose of this policy brief is to provide an overview of the Colorado River Basin Ten Tribes Partnership Tribal Water Study (Study), a unique review of the water rights, water uses, and future plans of the member tribes of the Colorado River Basin Tribes Partnership (Ten Tribes Partnership). The information in this policy brief is taken directly from the Study. In the foreword to the Study, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) Commissioner Brenda Burman states that Reclamation and the Ten Tribes Partnership collaborated to document current water use and potential future water development to better facilitate planning and decision-making throughout the Colorado River Basin (Basin). The Study strengthens a Department of the Interior commitment to address water issues facing tribes and recognizes that the Colorado River is an essential foundation for the physical, economic, and cultural sustenance of tribes in the Basin. The Study also explores ways to provide a wide range of benefits to both Partnership Tribes and other water users. The mutual trust and understanding forged during the Study will prove to be critical as the Basin collaboratively addresses the significant challenges ahead. The Ten Tribes Partnership, in its foreword, stated that in addition to producing technical information, the Tribes had other goals. First, they wanted to better understand how, at present, the Study’s water use scenarios fit into the overall scheme of Colorado River Basin management. Second, they wanted to know how future development of tribal water resources will affect other water users who are now using water to which a tribe may hold legal title, but which the title-holding tribe has not yet developed for its own use. Finally, they wanted to assess--to the extent present information allows -- the role future development of tribal water rights will have on Basin operations. The Ten Tribes Partnership hopes the Study resolves some uncertainty about how tribes perceive the future for their water uses, and establishes a baseline of information for discussions and development of relationships among tribes, states, federal government, water managers, and water users throughout the Basin.

Truckee River Operating Agreement

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | September 6th, 2008

Click here for USBR home page for the agreement and related documents.

Click here for USBR home page for the agreement and related documents.

United States v. State Water Resources Control Board (1986)

Court of Appeals of California, First Appellate District | May 28th, 1986

This appeal raises a number of novel and complex questions concerning the interrelationship of the law of water quality and the law of water rights. The coordinated cases

This appeal raises a number of novel and complex questions concerning the interrelationship of the law of water quality and the law of water rights. The coordinated cases arise out of efforts by the State Water Resources Control Board (the Board) to set new water quality standards for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) in order to take account of the combined effects upon the Delta of the state's two massive water projects: the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP), operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (U.S. Bureau or Bureau) and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), respectively.

Updating California Water Laws to Address Drought and Climate Change

California Planning & Conservation League Foundation | February 3rd, 2022

Upper Colorado River Basin Compact, 1948

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) | October 11th, 1948