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HomeWater CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 1§ 1017 Water Transfer Beneficial Use

§ 1017 Water Transfer Beneficial Use

Water Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1017 Water Transfer Beneficial Use

This law says that if you share or trade water rights with someone else, it still counts as you using the water properly. It won’t hurt your water rights or make you lose them.

Key Takeaways

  • •Sharing or trading water rights doesn’t mean you lose them.
  • •It still counts as you using the water the right way.
  • •This rule applies even if the water rights are very old (before 1914).

Example

A farmer has extra water rights but doesn’t need all the water this year. They lend some to a neighbor who needs it for their crops.

The farmer won’t lose their water rights just because they shared. The law says sharing still counts as using the water the right way.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1017 Water Transfer Beneficial Use

The beneficial use of water pursuant to a transfer or exchange authorized pursuant to Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 1435) of, Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 1700) of, Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 1725) of, Part 2, or any other provision of law, shall constitute a beneficial use of water by the holder of the permit, license, water right, or other entitlement for use that is the basis for the transfer or exchange, and shall not affect any determination or forfeiture applicable to water appropriated pursuant to the Water Commission Act or this code or water appropriated prior to December 19, 1914. (Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 938, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2000.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

beneficial use of watertransfer or exchangeWater Commission Actwater appropriated prior to December 19, 1914

Related Statutes

  • § 1003 Water Commission Act Definition
  • § 1202 Unappropriated Water Definition
  • § 1241.6 Irrigation Water Forfeiture Extension
  • § 1242 Underground Water Storage Use
  • § 1243 Water For Wildlife And Recreation

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Water Code. Section 1017.
View Official Source