Water Rights
Water Rights Analysis & Administration
Navigating the prior appropriation doctrine with the technical depth and field experience that complex water rights matters demand.
Water Rights Are Technical, Not Just Legal
In the prior appropriation states of the West, water rights are property rights — and disputes over them can determine the fate of farms, municipalities, and entire industries. The technical analysis underlying a water rights claim, transfer, or adjudication must be airtight. Anderson Water Consulting provides the hydrologic and hydrogeologic foundation that attorneys, regulators, and courts rely on.
We have worked on water rights matters ranging from small domestic well permits to large-scale municipal supply adjudications. Our reports are written to withstand cross-examination, and our principals have testified as expert witnesses before state engineer offices, water courts, and administrative tribunals.
Water Rights Contexts We Work In
- State Adjudications
- Transfer Applications
- Augmentation Plans
- Litigation Support
- Municipal Supply Planning
- Agricultural Water Management
Capabilities
What We Deliver
Water Rights Investigations
Historical research, field verification, and technical analysis to document the nature, extent, and priority of existing water rights claims.
Adjudication Support
Technical analysis and expert testimony for water rights adjudication proceedings, including consumptive use calculations and historical use documentation.
Transfer & Change Applications
Hydrologic analysis for water rights transfer and change applications, including injury analysis, return flow calculations, and non-interference demonstrations.
Augmentation Plans
Design and analysis of augmentation plans to replace out-of-priority depletions and maintain senior water rights in good standing.
Consumptive Use Analysis
Calculation of historical and projected consumptive use for irrigation, municipal, industrial, and other beneficial uses using accepted engineering methods.
Expert Testimony
Qualified expert witness services before state engineer offices, water courts, administrative tribunals, and federal courts on hydrologic and hydrogeologic matters.
Ready to Start Your Water Study?
Contact Anderson Water Consulting to discuss your project scope, timeline, and technical requirements.