What do "riparian rights" refer to in Arizona?

Riparian rights refer to the entitlements of landowners whose property is adjacent to a water source, such as a river or lake. In Arizona, these rights grant landowners the ability to use water from the adjacent water source for reasonable purposes, as long as such use does not negatively impact the rights of other riparian landowners. This concept is rooted in the principle that those owning land next to a body of water have a natural and inherent right to make use of that water to meet their needs, such as for irrigation, domestic use, or other beneficial purposes.

The focus on the rights of landowners next to a water source is critical in understanding Arizona's water law, which primarily operates under the doctrine of prior appropriation but does recognize riparian rights for properties adjacent to surface water bodies. This distinguishes riparian rights from other forms of water rights, which may prioritize different users or purposes, such as industrial use or agricultural enterprises, neither of which aligns with the definition of riparian rights.