{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/62.1-11.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/62.1-11.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/62.1-11.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/62.1-11.html"}],"law_id":374703,"edition_id":2,"section_id":374703,"structure_id":53277,"section_number":"62.1-11","catch_line":"Waters declared natural resource; state regulation and conservation; limitations upon right to use","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 62-9.2; 1954, c. 330; 1968, c. 659; 1989, c. 410.","full_text":"A\n\nSuch waters are a natural resource which should be regulated by the Commonwealth.\n\nB\n\nThe regulation, control, development and use of waters for all purposes beneficial to the public are within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth which in the exercise of its police powers may establish measures to effectuate the proper and comprehensive utilization and protection of such waters.\n\nC\n\nThe changing wants and needs of the people of the Commonwealth may require the water resources of the Commonwealth to be put to uses beneficial to the public to the extent of which they are reasonably capable; the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water should be prevented; and the conservation of such water is to be exercised with a view to the welfare of the people of the Commonwealth and their interest in the reasonable and beneficial use thereof.\n\nD\n\nThe public welfare and interest of the people of the Commonwealth require the proper development, wise use, conservation and protection of water resources together with protection of land resources, as affected thereby.\n\nE\n\nThe right to the use of water or to the flow of water in or from any natural stream, lake or other watercourse in this Commonwealth is and shall be limited to such water as may reasonably be required for the beneficial use of the public to be served; such right shall not extend to the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of such water.\n\nF\n\nThe quality of state waters is affected by the quantity of water and it is the intent of the Commonwealth, to the extent practicable, to maintain flow conditions to protect instream beneficial uses and public water supplies for human consumption.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1398699,"text":"Such waters are a natural resource which should be regulated by the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1398700,"text":"The regulation, control, development and use of waters for all purposes beneficial to the public are within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth which in the exercise of its police powers may establish measures to effectuate the proper and comprehensive utilization and protection of such waters.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1398701,"text":"The changing wants and needs of the people of the Commonwealth may require the water resources of the Commonwealth to be put to uses beneficial to the public to the extent of which they are reasonably capable; the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water should be prevented; and the conservation of such water is to be exercised with a view to the welfare of the people of the Commonwealth and their interest in the reasonable and beneficial use thereof.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1398702,"text":"The public welfare and interest of the people of the Commonwealth require the proper development, wise use, conservation and protection of water resources together with protection of land resources, as affected thereby.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1398703,"text":"The right to the use of water or to the flow of water in or from any natural stream, lake or other watercourse in this Commonwealth is and shall be limited to such water as may reasonably be required for the beneficial use of the public to be served; such right shall not extend to the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of such water.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":1398704,"text":"The quality of state waters is affected by the quantity of water and it is the intent of the Commonwealth, to the extent practicable, to maintain flow conditions to protect instream beneficial uses and public water supplies for human consumption.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":53277,"edition_id":2,"name":"State Policy as to Waters","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":53275,"metadata":{"child_laws":4,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:14:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:41","permalink":{"id":1495599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53277,"identifier":"2","token":"62.1\/2","url":"\/62.1\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53275,"edition_id":2,"name":"Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors","identifier":"62.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":132,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":578,"child_structures":74},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:14:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:41","permalink":{"id":1495201,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53275,"identifier":"62.1","token":"62.1","url":"\/62.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":374691,"structure_id":53277,"section_number":"62.1-10","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/62.1-10\/","token":"62.1\/2\/62.1-10","metadata":false},{"id":374703,"structure_id":53277,"section_number":"62.1-11","catch_line":"Waters declared natural resource; state regulation and conservation; limitations upon right to use","url":"\/62.1-11\/","token":"62.1\/2\/62.1-11","metadata":false},{"id":374715,"structure_id":53277,"section_number":"62.1-12","catch_line":"Valid uses not affected; chapter not applicable to proceedings determining rights","url":"\/62.1-12\/","token":"62.1\/2\/62.1-12","metadata":false},{"id":374730,"structure_id":53277,"section_number":"62.1-13","catch_line":"Construction with reference to rights, etc., of counties, cities and towns","url":"\/62.1-13\/","token":"62.1\/2\/62.1-13","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":374691,"structure_id":53277,"section_number":"62.1-10","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/62.1-10\/","token":"62.1\/2\/62.1-10","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":374715,"structure_id":53277,"section_number":"62.1-12","catch_line":"Valid uses not affected; chapter not applicable to proceedings determining rights","url":"\/62.1-12\/","token":"62.1\/2\/62.1-12","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/62.1-11\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1954, chapter 330; in 1968, chapter 659; in 1989, chapter 410.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1495605,"object_type":"law","relational_id":374703,"identifier":"62.1-11","token":"62.1\/2\/62.1-11","url":"\/62.1-11\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/62.1-11\/","token":"62.1\/2\/62.1-11","dublin_core":{"Title":"Waters declared natural resource; state regulation and conservation; limitations upon right to use","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 62.1-11","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Such waters<\/span> are a natural resource which should be regulated by the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The regulation, control, development and use of waters<\/span> for all purposes beneficial to the public are within the jurisdiction<\/span> of the Commonwealth which in the exercise of its police powers may establish measures to effectuate the proper and comprehensive utilization and protection of such waters<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The changing wants and needs of the people of the Commonwealth may require the water<\/span> resources of the Commonwealth to be put to uses beneficial to the public to the extent of which they are reasonably capable; the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water<\/span> should be prevented; and the conservation of such water<\/span> is to be exercised with a view to the welfare of the people of the Commonwealth and their interest in the reasonable and beneficial use<\/span> thereof. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The public welfare and interest of the people of the Commonwealth require the proper development, wise use, conservation and protection of water<\/span> resources together with protection of land resources, as affected thereby. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The right to the use of water<\/span> or to the flow of water<\/span> in or from any natural stream, lake or other watercourse in this Commonwealth is and shall be limited to such water<\/span> as may reasonably be required for the beneficial use<\/span> of the public to be served; such right shall not extend to the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of such water<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> The quality of state waters<\/span> is affected by the quantity of water<\/span> and it is the intent<\/span> of the Commonwealth, to the extent practicable, to maintain flow conditions to protect instream beneficial uses<\/span> and public water<\/span> supplies for human consumption. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWATERS DECLARED NATURAL RESOURCE; STATE REGULATION AND CONSERVATION; LIMITATIONS\nUPON RIGHT TO USE (\u00a7 62.1-11)\n\nA. Such waters are a natural resource which should be regulated by the\nCommonwealth.\n\nB. The regulation, control, development and use of waters for all purposes\nbeneficial to the public are within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth which\nin the exercise of its police powers may establish measures to effectuate the\nproper and comprehensive utilization and protection of such waters.\n\nC. The changing wants and needs of the people of the Commonwealth may require\nthe water resources of the Commonwealth to be put to uses beneficial to the\npublic to the extent of which they are reasonably capable; the waste or\nunreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water should be prevented; and\nthe conservation of such water is to be exercised with a view to the welfare of\nthe people of the Commonwealth and their interest in the reasonable and\nbeneficial use thereof.\n\nD. The public welfare and interest of the people of the Commonwealth require the\nproper development, wise use, conservation and protection of water resources\ntogether with protection of land resources, as affected thereby.\n\nE. The right to the use of water or to the flow of water in or from any natural\nstream, lake or other watercourse in this Commonwealth is and shall be limited\nto such water as may reasonably be required for the beneficial use of the public\nto be served; such right shall not extend to the waste or unreasonable use or\nunreasonable method of use of such water.\n\nF. The quality of state waters is affected by the quantity of water and it is\nthe intent of the Commonwealth, to the extent practicable, to maintain flow\nconditions to protect instream beneficial uses and public water supplies for\nhuman consumption.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 62-9.2; 1954, c. 330; 1968, c. 659; 1989, c. 410.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}