Whose Water Is It Anyway? Comparing the Water Rights Frameworks of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida

Authors

M. D. Smolen, Oklahoma State University
Aaron R. Mittelstet, Oklahoma State UniversityFollow
Bekki Harjo, Oklahoma State University

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

Southern Region Water Program Report to the Water Policy and Economics Team August 2012

Comments

This publication is printed and issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Vice President, Dean, and Director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Abstract

In most states surface waters, (streams, lakes, and coastal waters) are owned by the public. On the other hand, ground water may be privately or publicly owned. Because all waters are linked through the hydrologic cycle, and the hydrologic cycle is not confined within any geographic or political boundary, the question of ownership is generally replaced by one of who has the right to manage, divert, use, or sell the water.