Individuals who own land that either includes or borders a body of water are known as what?

Individuals who own land that includes or borders a body of water are classified as riparian owners. This term specifically refers to property owners whose land is adjacent to a river, stream, or similar flowing body of water. Riparian rights grant these owners certain privileges and responsibilities concerning the water, such as the right to access the water and the duty not to infringe on the rights of upstream or downstream owners.

In the context of property law, riparian rights are important for maintaining fair use of water resources and managing land usage around water bodies. Understanding riparian ownership is crucial for managing property, especially concerning issues like water use, environmental regulations, and property development.

Other terms related to water ownership exist, but they are not interchangeable with riparian owners. For example, littoral owners refer specifically to those whose property borders non-flowing bodies of water, like lakes or oceans. Coastal owners typically relate to properties along coastlines but are not a formal legal designation for water rights management. Therefore, riparian owners is the accurate term for individuals owning land adjacent to flowing water.