Ownership and Land Use, 15% of the examination
Riparian rights
Water-use rights ordinarily accompanying qualifying land bordering a natural lake, river, stream, or creek.
Riparian rights allow reasonable use of natural flow on qualifying riparian land and ordinarily pass with that land. Littoral describes land beside a lake or sea, but do not use that vocabulary distinction to deny California riparian rights along a natural lake. Appropriative rights are a separate system: post-1914 surface-water appropriations generally require State Water Board authorization, while valid pre-1914 rights have a different basis. Water rights remain subject to reasonable and beneficial use.
Test the distinction
A relevant question from Ownership and Land Use, selected because its facts or explanation use this concept.
An owner whose land borders a flowing stream holds which kind of water right?
Written to DRE's published topic list. Not a real examination question, since reproducing those is a misdemeanor under B&P Code section 123.
Primary sources
Use these authorities when a course summary, forum answer, or older flashcard conflicts with the current California rule.