When did the water rights happen?

Water rights have a long history that varies by region, but they began to take formal shape in the United States in the late 19th century. The doctrine of prior appropriation, which allocates water rights based on first use, emerged in the western states during this time. In contrast, riparian water rights, which are based on land ownership adjacent to water sources, were more common in the eastern states. Over time, various laws and regulations have evolved to manage water rights across different jurisdictions.