RCW 90.44.030
Chapter not to affect surface water rights.
The rights to appropriate the surface waters of the state and the rights acquired by the appropriation and use of surface waters shall not be affected or impaired by any of the provisions of this supplementary chapter and, to the extent that any underground water is part of or tributary to the source of any surface stream or lake, or that the withdrawal of groundwater may affect the flow of any spring, water course, lake, or other body of surface water, the right of an appropriator and owner of surface water shall be superior to any subsequent right hereby authorized to be acquired in or to groundwater.
[ 1945 c 263 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 7400-2.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 90 - Water Rights—Environment
Chapter 90.44 - Regulation of Public Groundwaters.
90.44.020 - Purpose of chapter.
90.44.030 - Chapter not to affect surface water rights.
90.44.040 - Public groundwaters subject to appropriation.
90.44.050 - Permit to withdraw.
90.44.060 - Laws governing withdrawal.
90.44.070 - Limitations on granting permit.
90.44.080 - Certificate—Showing required.
90.44.090 - Certificate of vested rights.
90.44.105 - Amendment to permit or certificate—Consolidation of rights for exempt wells.
90.44.110 - Waste of water prohibited—Exceptions.
90.44.120 - Penalty for waste or unauthorized use of water.
90.44.180 - Hearing to adjust supply to current needs.
90.44.200 - Water supervisors—Duties—Compensation.
90.44.220 - Petition to conduct an adjudication to determine rights to water.
90.44.230 - Effect of findings and judgment.
90.44.250 - Investigations—Reports of appropriators.
90.44.400 - Groundwater management areas—Purpose—Standards—Identification—Designation.
90.44.410 - Requirements for groundwater management programs—Review of programs.
90.44.430 - Groundwater management programs—Guidance to local governments and certain departments.
90.44.440 - Existing rights not affected.
90.44.445 - Acreage expansion program—Authorization—Certification.
90.44.450 - Metering or measuring groundwater withdrawals—Reports.
90.44.460 - Reservoir permits.
90.44.530 - Applications to appropriate groundwater under a cost-reimbursement agreement.
90.44.540 - Expedited processing of applications—Notification—Fees.
90.44.550 - Odessa groundwater subarea—Nonuse of a water right—Notice to the department—Conditions.