Title 25 — IndiansRelease 119-73
§381 Irrigation lands; regulation of use of water
Title 25 › Chapter CHAPTER 11— - IRRIGATION OF ALLOTTED LANDS › § 381
Summary
When water is needed to irrigate land on an Indian reservation so the land can be farmed, the Secretary of the Interior can make rules to make sure the water is shared fairly among the Indians living there. No landowner who gets water from a stream or river may be allowed to take or be given water in a way that harms another landowner.
Full Legal Text
Title 25, §381
Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In cases where the use of water for irrigation is necessary to render the lands within any Indian reservation available for agricultural purposes, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to prescribe such rules and regulations as he may deem necessary to secure a just and equal distribution thereof among the Indians residing upon any such reservations; and no other appropriation or grant of water by any riparian proprietor shall be authorized or permitted to the damage of any other riparian proprietor.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
25 U.S.C. § 381
Title 25 — Indians
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73