What do riparian rights include?

Riparian rights refer to the legal rights of landowners whose property is situated adjacent to a watercourse, such as rivers or streams. These rights generally include the entitlement to make reasonable use of the water for domestic and household purposes, which encompasses activities like drinking, cooking, and personal sanitation.

Domestic use is prioritized under riparian rights because such uses are essential for individual and family sustenance, as opposed to more commercial or industrial needs. Therefore, individuals whose land borders water bodies can utilize the water for these necessary everyday activities without significant limitations.

The other options, while potentially relevant uses of water, typically do not fall under the protections afforded by riparian rights to the same extent. Commercial, recreational, or industrial uses are generally more regulated due to their potential impact on the waterway and the rights of other users. Thus, they require specific permits and may be subject to state law and policies that regulate water usage. This makes domestic and household use the most fitting representation of what riparian rights encompass.