Utah statute
Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1203 — Unlawful taking of water or damaging a water facility.
Current through 2026 General Session
Part of Part 12: Offenses Concerning Water, Shafts, and Wells, Utah Code.
Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-1203
Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.
(1) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-9-1201 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits unlawful taking of water or damaging a water facility if the actor, in violation of a right of another person, intentionally or knowingly: (2)(a) turns on or uses the water, or a part thereof, of a canal, ditch, pipeline, or reservoir, except at a time when the use of the water has been duly distributed to the actor; (2)(b) uses a greater quantity of the water than has been duly distributed to the actor; (2)(c) in any way changes the flow of water when lawfully distributed for irrigation or other useful purposes, except when duly authorized to make the change; or (2)(d) breaks or injures a dam, canal, pipeline, watergate, ditch, or other means of diverting or conveying water for irrigation or other useful purposes. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is subject to the penalty provisions in Section 73-2-27. (4) Subsection (2) applies to violations of a right to the use of water, including: (4)(a) a water right; or (4)(b) authorization of a person's use of water by: (4)(b)(i) a water company, as defined in Subsection 73-3-3.5(1)(b); or (4)(b)(ii) an entity having a valid water right under Utah law.
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