NRS 534.100
Recognition of existing water rights

  • classification of water in definable aquifer or percolating water by State Engineer
  • adjudication of vested underground water rights.

1.

Existing water rights to the use of underground water are hereby recognized. For the purpose of this chapter a vested right is a water right on underground water acquired from an artesian or definable aquifer prior to March 22, 1913, and an underground water right on percolating water, the course and boundaries of which are incapable of determination, acquired prior to March 25, 1939. The distinction as to whether water is in a definable aquifer or whether it is percolating water, the course and boundaries of which are incapable of determination, is a matter to be determined by the State Engineer.

2.

Any claimant of a vested underground water right may petition the State Engineer to adjudicate such rights. If upon investigation the State Engineer finds the facts and conditions justify it, the State Engineer shall enter an order granting the petition and shall make proper arrangements to proceed with such determination. In the order the State Engineer shall designate the area within which such determination is to be made, but the size of such designated area may include other claimed underground vested water rights. Such designated area shall not extend into other drainage basins. Following the designation of such area the State Engineer shall proceed with adjudicating such rights as provided for in chapter 533 of NRS.

Source: Section 534.100 — Recognition of existing water rights; classification of water in definable aquifer or percolating water by State Engineer; adjudication of vested underground water rights., https://www.­leg.­state.­nv.­us/NRS/NRS-534.­html#NRS534Sec100.

534.010
Definitions. 534.011
“Area of active management” defined. 534.012
“Artesian well” defined. 534.013
“Domestic use” and “domestic purposes” defined. 534.014
“Person” defined. 534.015
“Recharged water” defined. 534.016
“Stored water” defined. 534.017
“Well driller” defined. 534.020
Underground waters belong to public and are subject to appropriation for beneficial use 534.025
Removal of underground waters to alleviate hazards caused by secondary recharge is beneficial use. 534.030
Administration by State Engineer: Petition by appropriators in basin 534.035
Groundwater boards: Establishment 534.037
Groundwater management plan for basin designated as critical management area: Petition 534.040
Employment and compensation of well supervisor and assistants 534.050
Permit to appropriate water required before sinking well in designated groundwater basin 534.060
Conditions for sinking wells 534.065
Replacement well: Application to change place of diversion not required in certain circumstances 534.070
Waste of water from artesian well unlawful. 534.090
Forfeiture and abandonment of rights. 534.100
Recognition of existing water rights 534.0105
“Aquifer” defined. 534.110
Rules and regulations of State Engineer 534.0115
“Area of hydrologic effect” defined. 534.120
State Engineer authorized to make rules, regulations and orders when groundwater is being depleted in designated area 534.125
State Engineer to file notice related to temporary permit. 534.0125
“Augmentation” defined. 534.130
State Engineer, assistants and Artesian Well Supervisor authorized to enter premises to investigate and carry out duties. 534.0135
“Percolating waters” defined. 534.140
Well drillers: Annual licenses 534.141
Application for renewal of license must include certain information regarding state business license 534.142
Payment of child support: Statement by applicant for license to drill 534.144
Suspension of license for failure to pay child support or comply with certain subpoenas or warrants 534.0145
“Project” defined. 534.146
Application for license to include social security number of applicant. 534.150
Well Drillers’ Advisory Board: Appointment 534.0155
“Storage account” defined. 534.160
License required to drill well 534.0165
“Waste” defined. 534.170
Well driller to keep log and records 534.0175
“Well drilling” and “drilling a well” defined. 534.180
Applicability of chapter to wells used for domestic purposes 534.185
Waiver of certain requirements for domestic wells by State Engineer 534.190
Penalties. 534.193
Additional penalties. 534.195
Injunctive and other relief. 534.250
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Permit required 534.260
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Contents of application for permit. 534.270
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Review of application for permit 534.280
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Annual report to State Engineer. 534.290
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Permit for recovery well 534.300
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Storage account to be established 534.310
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Annual fee for permit 534.320
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Revocation or suspension of permit 534.330
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Penalties. 534.340
Project for recharge, storage and recovery of water: Designation of areas of active management. 534.350
Requirements for certain public water system to receive credits for addition of new customers to system. 534.360
Water Rights Technical Support Account: Creation 534.1405
Well drillers: Petition for review of criminal history to obtain license
Last Updated

Feb. 5, 2021

§ 534.100’s source at nv​.us