Water School

Senior rights have an earlier priority date and claimants who hold them have a higher priority to divert water from a stream or water body than those with more junior rights. However, in times of scarcity, when there is not enough water to meet demand in a basin, those who need water for domestic and livestock use have first right to water, regardless of one’s priority date.

After domestic and livestock needs are met, those with senior water rights can insist diversions by those with junior water rights upstream be reduced or suspended until their senior rights are met downstream.