What do riparian rights govern?

Riparian rights govern the use of flowing water adjacent to a property. These rights are associated with landowners whose property is situated near a body of water, such as rivers or streams. Under riparian rights, landowners have the legal entitlement to use the water that flows past their property for various purposes, such as irrigation or domestic use, as long as they do not significantly harm other users or the natural flow of the water.

This answer is particularly focused on the relationship between landownership and the use of water, distinguishing it from issues like land construction or ownership rights. While the construction of buildings and ownership adjacent to water bodies are relevant to property law, they do not specifically address the use of flowing water, which is the fundamental aspect of riparian rights. Similarly, rights related to fishing and boating primarily fall under different legal categories, such as navigable waters rights, rather than being encompassed within the riparian framework.