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Article: Rights, Public Water
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- Water:Science and Issues
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Rights, Public Water
Two interrelated aspects of water law are important for protecting the public's interest in water. First, the general public has rights to use water in place (without diversion). Second, governments can control the way water is used in order to benefit the public. Swimming, fishing, canoeing, and commercial navigation can all be
public rights
. These public rights let members of the general public use water for the specified purpose.
The government also exercises its power over water through the use of regulations or public works projects that can significantly affect water use. Public works projects related to water have a long history in the United States, having ...