Property Ownership

Wyoming follows the prior appropriation doctrine for water rights. This means:

AAll landowners have equal rights to use water from adjacent streams
BWater rights are based on priority of use—'first in time, first in right'✓ Correct
CThe state owns all water and prohibits private ownership of water rights
DWater rights automatically transfer with the property deed

Explanation

Wyoming's prior appropriation doctrine allocates water rights based on priority—the first person to put water to beneficial use has the senior right. During shortages, senior rights holders get their full allocation before junior rights holders receive any water.

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