85-2-301. Right to appropriate. (1) After July 1, 1973, a person may not appropriate water except as provided in this chapter. A person may only appropriate water for a beneficial use.
     (2) (a) Only the department may appropriate water by permit in either of the following instances:
     (i) for transport outside the following river basins:
     (A) the Clark Fork River and its tributaries to its confluence with Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho;
     (B) the Kootenai River and its tributaries to its confluence with Kootenay Lake in British Columbia;
     (C) the St. Mary River and its tributaries to its confluence with the Oldman River in Alberta;
     (D) the Little Missouri River and its tributaries to its confluence with Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota;
     (E) the Missouri River and its tributaries to its confluence with the Yellowstone River in North Dakota; and
     (F) the Yellowstone River and its tributaries to its confluence with the Missouri River in North Dakota; or
     (ii) whenever water in excess of 4,000 acre-feet a year and 5.5 cubic feet per second, for any use, is to be consumed.
     (b) Water for these purposes or in these amounts may be leased from the department by any person under the provisions of 85-2-141.
     (3) A right to appropriate water may not be acquired by any other method, including by adverse use, adverse possession, prescription, or estoppel. The method prescribed by this chapter is exclusive.

     History: En. Sec. 16, Ch. 452, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 238, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 485, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 416, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 470, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 89-880(1); amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 573, L. 1985.