Digital Commons Network^™

Rivers To Live By: Can Western Water Law Help Communities Embrace Their Streams?, Reed D. Benson

Faculty Scholarship

In short, this article will adress: (1) the ways in which traditional western water law has hindered efforts to preserve free-flowing rivers in our communities; (2) some examples of how cities and towns are making efforts to keep their rivers flowing in order to provide recreation and other public benefits, and the ways in which water law is beginning to change to accomodate these efforts; and (3) some suggestions for water law reforms that would expand opportunities for western communities to keep water flowing in their rivers.