Which right grants a property owner the ability to use a natural flowing water source that borders their property?

Riparian rights are the legal rights that grant a property owner the ability to use and enjoy natural flowing water sources that border their property, such as rivers and streams. These rights allow the owner to access the water for various purposes, including irrigation, recreation, and other reasonable uses that do not negatively impact the water's flow or quality for other riparian owners.

This concept is rooted in the principle that water bodies are resources that can be beneficially used by adjacent landowners, promoting responsible stewardship while balancing the rights of all who share the water resource. By contrast, surface rights pertain to land use and ownership above the ground, easements are specific permissions granted for use of another’s property, and water rights generally encompass broader legal concepts concerning the allocation and usage of water, which may or may not include riparian rights. Thus, the distinction lies in the specific aspect of water access and use tied to property lines provided by riparian rights.