# Utah Code § 73-3-1: Appropriation -- Manner of acquiring water rights

> Utah · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_1

## Section

- **Citation:** Utah Code § 73-3-1
- **Heading:** Appropriation -- Manner of acquiring water rights
- **Jurisdiction:** Utah
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Utah Code / Title 73 / Chapter 73-3 / § 73-3-1

## Text

(1) A person may acquire a right to the use of the unappropriated public waters in this state only as provided for in this title. (2) The appropriation of public waters in the state shall comply with the requirements of this title. (3) Except as provided in Subsection (7), a person obtaining, initiating the use of, or providing notice of intent to appropriate a water right shall comply with the requirements of this chapter. (4) An appropriation may be made only for a useful and beneficial purpose. (5) Between appropriators, the one first in time is first in rights. (6) A person may not acquire a right to the use of water either appropriated or unappropriated by adverse use or adverse possession. (7) Notwithstanding Section 73-3-2, a person may directly capture and store precipitation as provided in Section 73-3-1.5.

## Nearby sections

- [Utah Code § 73-3-1 § 73-3-1. Appropriation -- Manner of acquiring water rights.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_1.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-1.5 § 73-3-1.5. Capture and storage of precipitation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_1.5.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-2 § 73-3-2. Application for right to use unappropriated public water -- Necessity -- Form -- Contents -- Validation of prior applications by state or United States or officer or agency thereof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_2.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-3 § 73-3-3. Changes to a water right.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_3.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-3.5 § 73-3-3.5. Application for a change of point of diversion, place of use, or purpose of use of water in a water company made by a shareholder.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_3.5.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-4 § 73-3-4. "Received," "filed" defined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_4.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-5 § 73-3-5. Action by engineer on applications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_5.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-5.5 § 73-3-5.5. Temporary applications to appropriate water -- Approval by engineer -- Expiration -- Proof of appropriation not required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_5.5.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-5.6 § 73-3-5.6. Applications to appropriate or permanently change a small amount of water -- Proof of appropriation or change.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_5.6.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-6 § 73-3-6. Publication of notice of application -- Corrections or amendments of applications -- Confirmation -- Withdrawal of application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_6.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-7 § 73-3-7. Protests.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_7.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-8 § 73-3-8. Approval or rejection of application -- Requirements for approval -- Application for specified period of time -- Filing of royalty contract for removal of salt or minerals -- Request for agency action.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_8.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-10 § 73-3-10. Approval or rejection of application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_10.md)
- [Utah Code § 73-3-11 § 73-3-11. Statement of financial ability of applicants.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T73_S73_3_1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.