Which type of water rights are applicable to properties bordering lakes?

The correct answer is based on the concept of riparian rights, which refers to the rights of property owners whose land borders a body of water. In Michigan, as in many other states, riparian rights grant these property owners certain entitlements concerning the use of water from lakes, rivers, and streams adjacent to their property.

Riparian rights allow landowners to access the water directly from their land, utilize the water for domestic purposes, and engage in recreational activities such as fishing or boating. These rights are inherently linked to the ownership of the land adjacent to the water and typically entail the obligation to not interfere with the rights of other riparian owners.

In contrast, surface rights generally refer to the rights a landowner has to the surface of their property, which does not specifically address water-related issues. Abstract rights is not a recognized term in the context of water rights and does not apply here. Fee simple rights refer to the most complete form of ownership of land but do not specifically address the associated rights to water usage.

Thus, the choice of riparian rights accurately reflects the legal framework that governs the use of water for properties bordering lakes.