Nevada ranch land and irrigated farm land generally have water rights and often grazing allotments through the Bureau of Land Management. These land allotments allow for animal grazing on public lands.
Nevada's Water Rights law is based on statutes enacted in 1903 and 1905 and are founded on the principal of Prior Appropriation. Unlike some other states, Nevada has a statewide system for the administration of both ground water and surface water. Appropriative water rights are based on the concept of applying water to Beneficial Use and "First in Time, First in Right." Appropriative water rights can be lost through nonuse and they may be sold or transferred apart from the land. Due in large part to the relative scarcity of water in Nevada and numerous competing uses, Nevada has had a thriving market for water rights transfers for a number of years.
Once granted, water rights in Nevada have the standing of both personal and real property, meaning they are conveyed as an appurtenance to real property unless they are specifically excluded in the deed of conveyance. It is possible to change the water's point of diversion, manner of use and place of use by filing the appropriate application with the state engineer.
Nevada is a federal-land state. Lands were generally acquired from the federal government or from other individuals. The first U.S. District Land Office was opened in Carson City, Nevada, in 1864. The BLM, 300 Booth Street, Box 12000, Reno, NV 89520, has records involving transactions through Nevada's land offices. The Nevada State Library, Division of Archives and Records, has Carson County (Utah Territory) land records and land patents for the state. Federal land records for Nevada can also be found at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and at the National Archives II (Cartographic Division) in College Park, MD. Water is regulated by The State Engineers Office.
Those looking for safe haven, preservation and growth for their investment dollars are realizing that food and water, the basics to sustaining life have a big future. It is estimated that the world’s population will grow by another three billion hungry people over the next twenty five short years.
There are two things that will not change, the world is not adding any more land and the planet is not adding any more fresh water. Those who own and control these limited resources have control, the future growth in demand is virtually guaranteed.
The opportunity to own water rights in this arid region, especially at today's prices will soon go by the way side.
Chris W. Miller ABR, CRS, GRI 435-862-5951
Vegas Grand Realty & Property Management 702-525-0585
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