Riparian rights refer to the legal rights of landowners whose property is adjacent to a body of water, such as a river or lake. These rights allow them to use the water for various purposes, including irrigation, fishing, and recreational activities. The principle behind riparian rights is that water is a shared resource, and those who own land next to it have a reasonable right to access and use it. However, riparian rights come with certain responsibilities. Landowners must ensure that their use of the water does not negatively impact other users or the environment. This means they cannot excessively divert or pollute the water, as it must remain available for others, including wildlife and neighboring properties.