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Irwin v. Phillips
Supreme Court of California· California, United States· 1855 8 min read
5 Cal. 140
Environmental issue: Water diversion for mining operations
Original judgment link pending Comparative Studies
Summary
The California Supreme Court upheld the doctrine of prior appropriation for water rights, holding that the first user of water from a stream has priority over later users, superseding common law riparian rights on public lands during the Gold Rush.
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This case analysis provides educational information, not legal advice. Subsequent developments may affect the current legal position. Consult a qualified lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction for any legal matter.