Which key feature is associated with the doctrine of prior appropriation?

The doctrine of prior appropriation is fundamentally centered on the principle that the right to divert and use water is granted based on the order of appropriation, rather than upon ownership of land adjacent to a water source. This means that the first party to make beneficial use of the water has the right to continue using that water, irrespective of their proximity to the water source. This system places significant emphasis on the actual diversion and use of water for beneficial purposes, like agriculture or domestic use, conferring water rights based on a chronological system rather than geographic ownership.

In Arizona, prior appropriation serves to allocate water rights among users in a manner that recognizes earlier claims over later ones. This highlights the importance of the action of diversion—the act of taking water from its source for use—making it the central feature of this doctrine.