ABSTRACT
It is important that the student of water rights understand not only what the two major practices in water rights are (meaning prior appropriation and riparian), but also why these practices exist as they do and how they came into being. It is equally important to realize that as times change so, too, do the needs of society. Those who work in the realm of policy making or implementation must understand the policy as it exists and the reasons for that policy, and be able to anticipate public reaction and needs in the future. Sometimes it is necessary to change course if we are to navigate clear of the ever-increasing number of new obstacles that may come our way.
