What are riparian rights?

Riparian rights refer specifically to the rights of landowners whose property is adjacent to natural bodies of water, such as rivers and streams. These rights allow property owners to make reasonable use of the water for purposes such as irrigation, watering livestock, and even recreational activities. The fundamental principle behind riparian rights is that owning land next to a water source grants the owner certain entitlements regarding the use of that water.

This concept is grounded in the understanding that water is a shared resource, and therefore, while riparian owners can use the water, they should do so in a way that does not substantially diminish the quality or quantity of water available to other riparian owners downstream. This equitable balance among users aims to ensure that individual rights do not infringe upon the rights of neighboring property owners, promoting fair access to water resources.

The other options focus on various property rights that do not pertain to the use of water bodies. Building rights, livestock management, and mineral rights are entirely different legal concepts unrelated to the specifics of water use associated with riparian areas.