2006 Utah Code - 73-3-1 — Appropriation -- Manner of acquiring water rights.

     73-3-1.   Appropriation -- Manner of acquiring water rights.
     Rights to the use of the unappropriated public waters in this state may be acquired only as provided in this title. No appropriation of water may be made and no rights to the use thereof initiated and no notice of intent to appropriate shall be recognized except application for such appropriation first be made to the state engineer in the manner hereinafter provided, and not otherwise. The appropriation must be for some useful and beneficial purpose, and, as between appropriators, the one first in time shall be first in rights; provided, that when a use designated by an application to appropriate any of the unappropriated waters of the state would materially interfere with a more beneficial use of such water, the application shall be dealt with as provided in Section 73-3-8. No right to the use of water either appropriated or unappropriated can be acquired by adverse use or adverse possession.

No Change Since 1953