Which rights do riparian owners possess?

Riparian owners possess the right to use flowing water from adjacent properties, which is a fundamental aspect of riparian rights under water law. This ownership allows riparian landowners to utilize the natural water source that flows through or adjacent to their property, provided they do so in a reasonable manner and do not harm other riparian users.

The principle behind riparian rights is that water is a shared resource, and it is essential for landowners with property adjacent to water bodies to have reasonable access to this resource for personal use, such as for irrigation, domestic use, and livestock. However, it is crucial that their use does not negatively impact the water supply and access of other adjacent landowners, maintaining a balance among all riparian owners.

In contrast, the other choices present rights that do not align with the established principles of riparian rights. For example, the right to divert all water in a river exceeds reasonable use and would lead to excessive depletion of the resource. The right to sell water from their bordering property is not typically a riparian right, as water rights often pertain to usage rather than ownership of the water itself, especially when considering the implications for downstream users. Lastly, the right to restrict access to adjacent landowners contradicts the