May 22: Utah water claim deadline approaches

• If you use water in the Benjamin Subdivision, you must file a Water User’s Claim by May 22, 2025.
• Notices went to 806 landowners and appeared in local papers so everybody knows what’s happening.
• There are 852 water rights on record here—mostly tied to wells.
• You can ask once for a 30-day extension during the initial filing window.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 — Utah is in the midst of a general adjudication for the Benjamin Subdivision, part of the Utah Lake/Jordan River drainage. Under Utah law, a general adjudication is the court-supervised process that “joins and binds all water users and the State Engineer to determine the nature and extent of all existing water rights within each drainage.”  The effort seeks to place every perfected claim—such as certificated, decreed, or diligence claims—on the permanent record.

Put more simply, a general adjudication is a court-led review that makes an official list of everyone’s water rights in a drainage area. It:

• Gathers all old and new claims (like early 1900s winter rights, well claims, federal reserves).

• Puts each water right on the record with its priority date, amount, diversion point, and use location.

• Lets the State Engineer cancel rights lost by non-use and issue final decisions that match today’s real water use.

Who Must File a Water User’s Claim?  You need to file if you hold a perfected water right (for a well, spring or surface diversion) in the Benjamin Subdivision.

• Irrigation company shareholders generally don’t file—you’re covered if your company files, unless you choose to file on your own.

• Notices were mailed to 806 property owners and published locally so missing the 90-day window could stop you from asserting your right later.

How to File a Water User’s Claim.  On your claim form, you’ll need to:

1. Name the use (e.g., irrigation, city water, factory use).

2. Give the priority date and show how much water you get (in cubic feet per second or acre-feet).

3. Point of diversion (e.g., well, spring box, headgate) and where you actually use the water.

4. Submit the form—available from the Division of Water Rights. The State Engineer’s office can help you fill it out and will file it with the court for you.

Key Dates and Deadlines.

• May 22, 2025: Last day to file your claim (90-day window opens).

• During filing period: You may request a one-time 30-day extension.

• September 19, 2025: Review of all filed claims begins.

• February 2026: List of unclaimed rights is published; 90-day objection meeting follows.

• December 2027: Proposed determination issued; final objection meeting.

• 2028: Interim decree takes effect, setting up final court judgments.

Common Questions & Answers.

• What if I’m late?
  If you miss May 22 (or an approved extension), your water rights could be listed as forfeited. You have 90 days after that list comes out to object, but if you stay silent you may lose your rights forever.

• My name doesn’t match the records.
  Filing a claim doesn’t change property deeds. To fix a name, file a Report of Conveyance with the Division.

• I had a small-volume application that lapsed.
  You can reinstate it by filing both a Water User’s Claim and an Affidavit of Beneficial Use.

Need Help?
Staff are holding one-on-one sessions to walk you through the forms. You can also reach out to:

• Chase McDonald (Assistant State Engineer – Adjudication)

  • Email: chasemcdonald@utah.gov

  • Phone: 801-538-7459

• Adjudication Helpline

  • Email: waterrights_adjudication@utah.gov

  • Phone: 801-538-5282

Preparing for the Deadline

• Over 850 water rights are at stake—don’t wait.

• File your complete claim by May 22, 2025 or ask now for a 30-day extension if you need more time.

• Reach out early for guidance so you can protect your legal right to water in the Benjamin Subdivision.

Get more details from the following sources:  Public Meeting; PDF presentation from the public meeting.

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