On September 25, 2026, Third District Court Judge Laura S. Scott issued an Order appointing Janelle Bauer as Special Master for the Utah Lake / Jordan River General Adjudication. Ms. Bauer replaces Rick Knuth, who has retired after serving as
Utah Water Law and Water Rights
The Utah Water Law and Water Rights blog, published by Smith Hartvigsen PLLC, covers legal developments and issues related to water rights and water law in Utah. Topics include judicial decisions on water rights disputes, statutory interpretations of water appropriation and ownership, administrative procedures for water applications, and regulatory updates such as fee policies for public water systems. The blog also discusses municipal water rights, water use for irrigation and domestic purposes, and the management plans affecting water distribution in the state. It provides analysis of court rulings and administrative actions impacting water rights holders and stakeholders in Utah.
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Special Master Vacancy
The following notice was issued by the Utah State Courts.Due to the impending retirement
of Special Master RL Knuth and in accordance with the Revised Order Granting
the Motion to Appoint a Master in the Utah Lake and Jordan River…
2026 State Water Plan
The Utah Division of Water Resources has released its draft State Water Plan. To read the draft Plan, click here and here. To submit comments on the draft Plan, click here.
The Division will be hosting a virtual
…
Public Meeting to Discuss Proposed Determination in Orem Area
The Utah Division of Water Rights has set a public meeting to discuss the Proposed Determination of Water Rights for the Orem Area (Book 55-3). The Proposed Determination was published on June 25, 2026. Information about the public meeting is…
Public Meeting to Discuss Dedicated Water Applications
The Utah Division of Water Rights has set a public meeting to discuss a new type of application called a Dedicated Water Application. Information about the public meeting is included below.Purpose: With recent legislation updates the State Engineer has been…
2026 Legislation – Water Bills That Did Not Pass
HB 494 (1st
Substitute) – Transfer of Water Interests(Rep. Doug
Owens)
House Bill 494
sought to clarify the relationship of water shares (not water rights) in land
conveyances. This bill would have codified that a water share is appurtenant…
2026 Legislation – Water Bills That Passed
HB 19 –
Drinking Water Utilities Amendments(Rep. Colin
Jack)
Governor Cox
signed House Bill 19, which addressed security at public drinking water
facilities. The bill requires “community water systems” to create an emergency
response plan. Broadly, the plan must…
2026 Legislative Preview
The 2026 General Session of the Utah Legislature begins next week. Below are summaries (written by the water attorneys at Smith Hartvigsen) of the water-related bills that have been released so far. As the session goes along, additional water bills…
Nielsen v. Cronquist
The Utah Court of Appeals recently issued its decision in Nielsen v. Cronquist. The case addressed the issue of awarding attorney fees in water cases.
The Nielsens and the Cronquists were neighboring landowners in Smithfield, Utah. The parties sued
…
Online Application Portal
The Utah Division of Water Rights has announced a new “Application and Filing Payment Portal” that allows for online filing of water applications. The following applications can now be filed online:
- Application to Appropriate
- Change Application
- Exchange Application
- Report of
…