Foundations of Western water law, from riparian rights to public waters .
This collection presents key cases that define how water is used, shared, and regulated across California and the western states.
This edition compiles pivotal rulings and commentary on who may use water, what constitutes a reasonable use, and how public waters are managed by towns, cities, and private landowners. It provides historical context—from Spanish and Mexican rule to modern police power considerations—so readers understand how current doctrine developed.
- Riparian rights and the principle of reasonable use, with case law illustrating limits on appropriation.
- Public waters and the authority of municipalities to manage supply for inhabitants and municipal needs.
- Historical background on land and water distribution in the Spanish and Mexican eras, and their influence on later law.
Ideal for students, researchers, lawyers, and readers curious about the evolution of water policy in the American West.