LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeWater CodeDiv. 2Pt. 2Ch. 2Art. 1§ 1257 Water Appropriation Considerations

§ 1257 Water Appropriation Considerations

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

§ 1257 Water Appropriation Considerations

This law says that when someone asks to use water from a river or lake, the government must think about all the good ways that water can be used, like for drinking, farming, or keeping fish alive. They also have to think about whether the water can be cleaned and used again.

Key Takeaways

  • •The government decides who can use water based on what’s best for everyone.
  • •They think about drinking water, farming, fish, and even fun stuff like swimming or boating.
  • •If you want to use water, you might have to follow rules so it’s not wasted and others still get their share.

Example

A farmer wants to take water from a river to grow crops.

The government will check if there’s enough water for the farmer’s crops, but also make sure there’s still water left for fish, for people to drink, and for other important uses. They might say the farmer can only take water at certain times or must use it in a way that doesn’t waste it.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1257 Water Appropriation Considerations

In acting upon application to appropriate water, the board shall consider the relative benefit to be derived from (1) all beneficial uses of the water concerned including, but not limited to, use for domestic, irrigation, municipal, industrial, preservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife, recreational, mining and power purposes, and any uses specified to be protected in any relevant water quality control plan, and (2) the reuse or reclamation of the water sought to be appropriated, as proposed by the applicant. The board may subject such appropriations to such terms and conditions as in its judgment will best develop, conserve, and utilize in the public interest, the water sought to be appropriated. (Amended by Stats. 1970, Ch. 157.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

relative benefitbeneficial usesreuse or reclamationpublic interest

Related Statutes

  • § 1253 Water Appropriation Public Interest
  • § 1256 Water Resource Planning Considerations
  • § 10817 Water Use Efficiency Definition
  • § 11200 Project Construction Unity
  • § 11201 Project Unit Authorization

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Water Code. Section 1257.
View Official Source