property

riparian rights

Riparian rights are the water rights of an owner whose land borders a flowing body of water, such as a river or stream. They generally include reasonable use of the water and access to it. In many cases, if the waterway is not navigable, the owner's boundary extends to the center of the stream; if it is navigable, the boundary usually stops at the water's edge. Rules vary by state, and some western states use prior appropriation instead.