As with every state, water is a valuable resource. California is no exception. California is subject to distinct water policies that have come about due to the historical events of this state.
First, there was the initial settlement, spurred by the gold rush of the mid 1800's. During this time miners, ranchers, farmers, and manufacturers flooded the area to claim the wealth they had heard of. Laws to be followed, which applied to water, was prior appropriation, or "first in time, first to right." Water users acquire ownership of water simply by taking it from a water source and putting it to use, as long as it was beneficial. Prior appropriation also meant that in times of drought, or low stream flows, the oldest water rights must be satisfied before a juniors rights. Water users were allowed to trade their rights of use with others.
By the 1900's, settler's who came for gold, and had failed began farming. But the success of agriculture is dependant on surplus of water. This......

Join Now to view the rest of this term paper!
Members: Login to view this research paper.

Title: Califonia's Water Crisis
Approximate Word Count: 658
Approximate Pages: 3 (250 words per double-spaced page)

With the Term Papers Lab Membership Pass, you get instant access to every essay on this site, including this essay on Califonia's Water Crisis, for as long as you remain a member.

Other essays sites charge almost $100 for a single term paper. At Term Papers Lab, you can get instant access to over 100,000 research papers for as little as $29.95!