Are inter-basin transfers of water illegal under Virginia or North Carolina law?
No. There are inter-basin transfers in both Virginia and North Carolina. In fact, North Carolina has a permit system for inter-basin transfers. The bulk of Norfolk’s water supply constitutes an inter-basin transfer of water from the Chowan and Nansemond River Basins. There are inter-basin transfers of water both in and out of the Roanoke River Basin made by Virginia and North Carolina jurisdictions. What are Riparian Water Rights? Riparian water rights are property rights which attach to land that has water flowing upon it. A riparian land owner has the right to make a reasonable use of the water on his or her land so long as he or she does not unreasonably diminish the quantity or quality of the water to the detriment of downstream riparian owners. Do property owners around Kerr Reservoir or Lake Gaston have riparian water rights? No, although some may think they do. Kerr Reservoir is owned by the federal government; Lake Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Reservoir are owned by Virginia Power
