What do riparian waters refer to?

Riparian waters specifically refer to those bodies of water that are found alongside or are associated with land that borders a stream or river. The term 'riparian' derives from the Latin word 'riparius', which means riverbank. Therefore, the concept of riparian rights is closely tied to the waters of ordinary flow of a stream, as these rights govern the use of water from these flowing sources by those whose property adjoins them.

In the context of land surveying, understanding riparian boundaries is essential for delineating land ownership and rights to water usage, which can have significant legal implications.

While flood waters, all bodies of water, and waters designated for public use are related to bodies of water in some manner, they do not accurately reflect the specific legal and geographical context of riparian rights and waters. Flood waters may occur during specific conditions and do not define the typical stream flow, and not all bodies of water qualify as riparian. Therefore, the distinction is crucial in surveys and property assessments involving water usage rights.