It is hereby declared that because of conditions prevailing in this state the general welfare requires that the water resources of the state be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, and that the waste or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented, and that the conservation of such water is to be exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use thereof in the interest of the people and for the public welfare. The right to water or to the use or flow of water in or from any natural stream or watercourse in this state is and shall be limited to such water as shall be reasonably required for the beneficial use to be served, and such right does not and shall not extend to the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of diversion of water. Domestic use of water takes precedence over appropriative rights - Governmental use. Definition of terms. The use of water supplied by a water distribution system for the preceding purposes, for the occupants of schools, hospitals and other custodial care facilities and for fire protection is a domestic use as against appropriative rights having a priority after June 30, 1978.
Stock watering is a domestic use.
It does not include the irrigation of crops on a commercial scale, even within the limits of the state institution, facility, property or municipality. The miner's inch shall be regarded as one-fiftieth of a cubic foot per second in all cases, except when some other equivalent of the cubic foot per second has been specially stated by the contract or has been established by actual measurement or use, or by court decree. Beneficial use - Measure and limit of right to use of waters. Beneficial use is the basis, the measure and the limit of the right to the use of waters described in this title. Vested rights defined.