In Nevada, who do ground and surface water belong to?

Ground and surface water in Nevada belong to the public. This principle aligns with the doctrine of prior appropriation, which governs water rights in many western states, including Nevada. Under this doctrine, water resources are seen as a public asset, meaning that they are owned collectively by the public rather than by individual property owners. The state has the responsibility to manage water resources for the benefit of all citizens, ensuring equitable access and sustainable use.

This public ownership emphasizes that individuals cannot claim exclusive rights to water based solely on land ownership. Instead, water rights may be acquired through a permit system established by the state, where individuals can apply for the right to use a specific amount of water for designated purposes.

The other options refer to legal doctrines and entities that do not represent the ownership of water in Nevada. The riparian doctrine is generally relevant to areas with abundant water resources and pertains to landowners with property adjacent to a water source, but it is not the guiding principle in Nevada. Similarly, the littoral doctrine pertains to water bodies like lakes and oceans and is not applicable in Nevada's arid landscape. Finally, the federal government does not hold ownership of ground and surface water in Nevada; the rights and management of these resources are primarily the responsibility of state authorities