Present Tendencies in Water Administration

The discussion of present tendencies in water administration will be confined to the practice and experience of the State of Utah. It is believed that as much value will attach to a specific case as to a general treatment of the subject. By considering a concrete example, and comparing other experiences with it, lessons of value can be drawn as easily as by trying to deduce such lessons from a more general and broad treatment of the subject. When the pioneers first settled in Utah and commenced to irrigate, the problem of distribution was one of mutual agreement. Later, as the waters of the various streams became fully appropriated, the inevitable litigation set in, resulting in the usual practice of having the Court that decided the rights administer them through a water commissioner of its own appointment.