Which rights allow a property owner next to a flowing body of water to use that water?

The correct answer is based on the concept of riparian rights, which are legal entitlements that allow property owners whose land borders a flowing body of water, such as a river or stream, to use that water. These rights include the ability to access the water for various uses, such as irrigation, fishing, and recreational activities, while also adhering to the principle of reasonable use, which means not harming other upstream or downstream users.

Riparian rights are particularly important in the context of water resources management, as they help establish the legal framework governing water use among neighboring property owners. This system allows for a fair allocation of water resources while protecting the rights of those who own land adjacent to the water.

Littoral rights, which might seem similar, refer specifically to properties bordering non-flowing bodies of water like lakes or oceans. Adverse possession relates to a legal doctrine allowing someone to claim ownership of land under certain conditions, and a quitclaim deed is a type of legal document used to transfer interest in real property without warranties regarding the title. Both of these concepts do not pertain directly to the rights associated with the use of water from a flowing source.