Premium
Hydrogeologist Looks at the 1965 Colorado Ground‐Water Law a
Author(s) -
McConaghy J. A.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1966.tb01596.x
Subject(s) - appropriation , doctrine , groundwater , law , economic shortage , administration (probate law) , environmental science , political science , water resource management , hydrology (agriculture) , engineering , philosophy , linguistics , geotechnical engineering , government (linguistics)
The Colorado Assembly passed three laws in 1965 concerning water rights. Two of the new laws pertain directly to ground water and take cognizance of the fact that some wells divert water that would otherwise reach a stream. The use of ground water is now regulated under the doctrine of prior appropriation, which has applied to the administration of surface water in Colorado since 1852. Under the doctrine of prior appropriation, the first person to make beneficial use of water establishes a right to use that water even when there is a shortage of water for later appropriators. This paper discusses the new laws as they relate to hydrologists and others concerned with hydrology. The law sets up administrative processes for implementing the use of water but raises many questions. Proper hydrologic investigations are necessary as a technical base for administration of the laws.