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Reserved Water Rights, Indian Rights And The Narrowing Scope Of Federal Jurisdiction: The Colorado River Decision, Robert H. Abrams

Journal Publications

In 1976, the United States Supreme Court decided Colorado River Water Conservation District v. United States, holding that principles of judicial administration relating to "contemporaneous exercise of concurrent jurisdictions'" command that the federal courts abjure congressionally granted, previously attached jurisdiction of federal claims to reserved water rights.

This Article explores the impact of Colorado River and examines critically the Court's choice to remit to state courts claims involving federally created Indian water rights. Part I of the Article traces the development of federal-state water law relations and analyzes the Colorado River decision in light of this development. Part II examines …