Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73not60
§361 Authority to Explore For, Develop, and Mark Water Holes, Etc.
Title 43 › Chapter 11— DISCOVERY, DEVELOPMENT, AND MARKING OF WATER HOLES, ETC., BY GOVERNMENT › § 361
Summary
The Secretary of the Interior may find, improve, protect, and mark springs, streams, and water holes on dry public lands so people can reach them. He can place durable markers and signs along usual travel routes, install simple equipment to bring water to the surface at those sites, and make and share maps, reports, and other information showing where the water is.
Full Legal Text
Title 43, §361
Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized and empowered, in his discretion in so far as the authorization made herein will permit, to discover, develop, protect, and render more accessible for the benefit of the general public, springs, streams, and water holes on arid public lands of the United States; and in connection therewith to erect and maintain suitable and durable monuments and signboards at proper places and intervals along and near the accustomed lines of travel and over the general area of said desert lands, containing information and directions as to the location and nature of said springs, streams, and water holes, to the end that the same may be more readily traced and found by persons in search or need thereof; also to provide convenient and ready means, apparatus, and appliances by which water may be brought to the earth’s surface at said water holes for the use of such persons; also to prepare and distribute suitable maps, reports, and general information relating to said springs, streams, and water holes, and their specific location with reference to lines of travel.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 361
Title 43 — Public Lands
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60