Utah water rights abandoned, impacting future allocations and appropriations

The Water Rights Committee in Utah convened on April 25, 2025, to discuss critical aspects of water rights adjudication in the Gould Wash Division of the Virgin River Drainage, specifically focusing on Area 81 Book 4. The meeting aimed to clarify the processes surrounding water rights, particularly concerning abandonment and new appropriations.

The discussion began with an explanation of what constitutes an abandoned water right. Committee members emphasized that when a water right is deemed abandoned, it is officially removed from the record and the local water budget. This means that the water associated with that right is no longer available for use or purchase by others. If an individual has been diverting water from a stream but ceases to do so without filing a claim, they lose their right to that water, which then becomes available for downstream users.

The committee clarified that the state does not sell water rights directly. Instead, individuals seeking new water rights must file an application to appropriate water, provided the area is open to such actions. The principle of prior appropriation governs water rights in Utah, meaning that the first person to use the water has seniority over others. This was illustrated with an example: if a stream has 50 cubic feet per second (cfs) available, a senior water right holder with a claim to 20 cfs would receive their full allocation before a junior right holder with a claim to 40 cfs.

The committee also addressed questions regarding the criteria for applying for new water rights, stating that there are no specific criteria that must be met for an application to be filed. However, it was noted that any new appropriations would come with a junior priority date, meaning they would only receive water after all senior rights have been satisfied.

In conclusion, the meeting provided essential insights into the complexities of water rights management in Utah, particularly regarding abandonment and the process for acquiring new rights. The committee's discussions underscored the importance of understanding the implications of water rights status and the prioritization system that governs water allocation in the region. Further follow-up actions were not specified, but the committee's commitment to transparency in water rights adjudication was evident throughout the discussions.