08/09/2026
The Kansas Water Appropriation Act and Groundwater Management Districts
Kansas operates under the prior appropriation doctrine for water use, which is often described by thesaying “first in time, first in right.” The water is dedicated to the use of the people, subject to thecontrol and regulation of the state. Through obtaining a water right, users are granted a property rightto put water to beneficial use, with earlier users given priority....
Kansas operates under the prior appropriation doctrine for water use, which is often described by thesaying “first in time, first in right.” The water is dedicated to the use of the people, subject…
