A Water Right for Recreational Use


One type of use of a water right is for recreational use.  K.A.R. 5-1-1 defines
“recreational use” as “use of water in accordance with a water right that provides entertainment, enjoyment, relaxation, and fish and wildlife benefits.”

A recreational water right is commonly pursued for hunting and fishing purposes.  For example, one may wish to pump groundwater from a specified diversion point for the purpose of flooding a pond for duck hunting.  The pond would thus be the place of use.

A recreational water right must be developed like any water right.  An applicant must seek a permit.  A separate and distinct face sheet must be completed for a recreational water right.  For someone coming from a perspective of loving the outdoors, a recreational water right is a vital tool.