FAQ's
Is the practice of harvesting rainwater illegal in Utah?
Rainwater harvesting is a water right issue only to the extent that rainwater is actually stored and then later used for some purpose rather than being released back to the natural drainage system. more...
I want to build a house and need a well. What do I need to do?
You must have a water right to divert and use water in the State of Utah. Water well drillers are licensed and cannot drill a well unless permission to drill has been obtained from the State Engineer. more...
I understand I need to buy a water right. How do I go about it?
Water rights are classified as “real property” in the state of Utah and are bought and sold much like real estate. Many real estate agencies will have listings for water rights much as they do for properties. more...
How do I know if a water right I’m thinking about buying is a “good one”?
Some issues you should be particularly aware of when persuing the purchase of a water right are verification of ownership and water use. more...
What are supplemental numbers and use groups?
Water right groups exist to allow the Division of Water Rights to organize records and quantify amounts related to water use. more...
What is Utah’s “use it or lose it” law related to water rights?
Utah’s laws have been designed to encourage full responsible development of water supplies and to discourage efforts to speculate in or monopolize the resource. more...
How do I update ownership on the Division of Water Rights records?
To update water right ownership on the records of the State Engineer, a water right owner shall submit a report of water right conveyance to the State Engineer. more...

Current Issues
2/8/10 Public Meeting - Declaring Beneficial Use Limits for Supplemental Rights more...
Green River Water Aquisition Team Meeting 1/20 and 2/23/2010, DNR 214 at 10 AM more...
Hearing Scheduled Green River, Emery County: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:00 AM more...
Executive Water Rights Task Force Meeting December 7, 2009 1:30 PM. more...
Utah Water Coalition Meeting Tuesday December 1 2009 @2 PM more...
Welcome to the Division of Water Rights

The Utah Division of Water Rights (DWRi), led by the State Engineer - Kent L. Jones, P.E., is an agency of Utah State Government within the Department of Natural Resources that administers the appropriation and distribution of the State's valuable water resources.
The mission of the Division of Water Rights is to provide
order and certainty in the beneficial use of Utah's water.
Snake Valley Agreement
The State Engineers of Utah and Nevada announce a proposed agreement regarding water in the Snake Valley area.

This State-to-State Agreement concerns the establishment of a cooperative relationship between the States of Utah and Nevada regarding the management of interstate groundwater resources.

Click here for details.

The Division of Water Rights office hours are from
7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday.

We strongly recommend that you make an appointment if you need to come into the office for assistance.

Our office is closed on Fridays, along with other State agencies,
following Governor Huntsman's Working4Utah initiative.


Basic Concepts in Water Rights
Water Right Priority

The fundamental principle of Utah water law is priority between appropriators. Priority is established based on the date an appropriator placed the water to beneficial use... more

 

Bills relating to Water Rights
Several bills are before
the legislature this year that
involve water rights.

Click here for a list of
legislative items related to
water and irrigation.