Everyone who diverts water under a riparian water right must report their water use regularly by filing a Statement of Diversion and Use. These actually come in two forms:
• An Initial Statement of Diversion and Use is what you file if you are reporting riparian use from a diversion for the first time.
• A Supplemental Statement of Diversion and Use is what you file in subsequent years for that same diversion.
A Statement of Diversion and Use does not create your riparian water right – which already exists by virtue of your ownership of property abutting a stream. Instead, it serves several important purposes:
• Puts the state and other users on notice of your riparian rights
• Helps the Water Board determine how much (if any) water is left to give out to new appropriative rights
• Ensures the Water Board will notify you of any applications for new water rights in the same stream system
• Prevents you from being fined under Water Code Section 5107
Pointers on filling out the Statement of Diversion and Use forms can be found here.
Note that you do not have to fill out a Statement of Diversion and Use for any water you use under a Small Domestic Use Registration. You report that use separately as required by your registration document.