Opinion ID: 1373013
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: general adjudication

Text: [4, 5] A general adjudication is a special form of quiet title action to determine all existing rights to the use of water from a specific body of water. [22] In Washington, the adjudication procedure is set forth in RCW 90.03.110 et seq. The provisions for adjudication in the Water Code, RCW 90.03.110-.245, may not be used to lessen, enlarge or modify existing water rights. [23] An adjudication of water rights is only for the purpose of determining and confirming those rights. [24] The surface water rights of the Grimeses in this case are pre-1917 rights, established 11 years before adoption of the Water Code of 1917 and 65 years before adoption of the Water Resources Act of 1971. Subsequent amendments to the 1917 Water Code have clearly stated that nothing in the act shall affect or operate to impair any existing water rights. [25] To confirm existing rights, the referee must determine two primary elements of a water right: (1) the amount of water that has been put to beneficial use and (2) the priority of water rights relative to each other. [26] Appellants contend that they or their predecessors in interest have owned and continuously used all waters of Marshall Lake since 1906, and that the State has no authority to limit, control, or regulate their impoundment rights or the quantity of their use of those waters. [27] A general adjudication, however, is intended to determine all rights to the use of a body of water, whether riparian or appropriative, and whenever acquired. [28] The State therefore must include the Grimeses' water rights in this adjudication.