Guides: Water Law Treatises: Introduction

Introductory Resources

Water Law in a Nutshell by Sandra Zellmer & Adell Amos
Call Number: Reading Room Study Aids KF5569.3 .G48
This study aid addresses the fundamentals in water law as well as recent developments in water law. Virtually every principal case in leading casebooks is cited or discussed, making this book a strong aid for students in a water law course. Deals with changes in evolving areas like groundwater-surface water conflicts, public recreational uses, instream flow protection, federal water development, takings claims, and water access and equity. Water Law in a Nutshell is also available online via West Academic Study Aids.

Waters and Water Rights by Robert E. Beck
This treatise is the preeminent treatise on water law. This treatise covers riparian rights, prior appropriation, groundwater law, the public right to use water in place, Federal and Indian rights, interstate water allocation, international waters and environmental controls. An index, tables of cases, and tables of statutes provide assistance with locating information within the treatise.
Law of Water Rights & Resources by A. Dan Tarlock
This treatise covers the law of water quantity allocation in the US, discussing both riparian and prior appropriation systems. Additionally, it discusses other laws affecting certain classes of water, such as navigation, recreation, and environmental quality maintenance. The treatise covers both federal and state regulation of water rights. This treatise is updated annually.