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During a dry summer in the Yellowstone River basin, two neighboring irrigators both hold valid Montana water rights. Irrigator Chen holds a water right with a priority date of 1887, while Irrigator Torres holds a water right with a priority date of 1923. The river flow drops below the level needed to satisfy both rights. Under Montana's prior appropriation doctrine, which outcome is correct?

Correct Answer

C) Irrigator Chen is entitled to receive the full amount of her 1887 appropriation before Irrigator Torres may draw any water

Under Montana's prior appropriation doctrine ('first in time, first in right'), Irrigator Chen's 1887 priority date is senior to Irrigator Torres's 1923 priority date. When water is insufficient to satisfy all rights, senior appropriators are entitled to receive their full appropriation before junior appropriators receive any water. This is the foundational rule of prior appropriation under MCA Title 85, Chapter 2, and is administered by the DNRC.

Answer Options
A
Both irrigators must share the available water proportionally based on the size of their respective appropriations
B
Irrigator Torres has priority because the 1923 right was filed under the modern DNRC system, which supersedes older claims
C
Irrigator Chen is entitled to receive the full amount of her 1887 appropriation before Irrigator Torres may draw any water
D
The state must provide supplemental water from a reserve fund to ensure both irrigators receive their full appropriations

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

prior_appropriationpriority_datesenior_rightsjunior_rightswater_shortagednrc

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