Section 1201 Of Article 1. Water Subject To Appropriation From California Water Code >> Division 2. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 1.

. All water flowing in any natural channel, excepting so far as it has been or is being applied to useful and beneficial purposes upon, or in so far as it is or may be reasonably needed for useful and beneficial purposes upon lands riparian thereto, or otherwise appropriated, is hereby declared to be public water of the State and subject to appropriation in accordance with the provisions of this code.