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Water Code Sections 11460 to 11463 set forth restrictions and limitations to protect the reasonable water requirements of water needs of the watershed wherein water originates. The Burns-Porter Act (Water Code Section 12931) declares the Delta to be part of the Sacramento River watershed.
11460. In the construction and operation by the department of any project under the provisions of this part a watershed or area wherein water originates, or an area immediately adjacent thereto which can conveniently be supplied with water therefrom, shall not be deprived by the department directly or indirectly of the prior right to all of the water reasonably required to adequately supply the beneficial needs of the watershed, area, or any of the inhabitants or property owners therein.
(Amended by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1932. Note: Amendment by Stats. 1980, Ch. 632, did not take effect; Ch. 632 was rejected by referendum as Prop. 9 on June 8, 1982.)
11461. In no other way than by purchase or otherwise as provided in this part shall water rights of a watershed, area, or the inhabitants be impaired or curtailed by the department, but the provisions of this article shall be strictly limited to the acts and proceedings of the department, as such, and shall not apply to any persons or state agencies.
(Amended by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1932.)
11462. The provisions of this article shall not be so construed as to create any new property rights other than against the department as provided in this part or to require the department to furnish to any person without adequate compensation therefor any water made available by the construction of any works by the department.
(Amended by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1932.)
11463. In the construction and operation by the department of any project under the provisions of this part, no exchange of the water of any watershed or area for the water of any other watershed or area may be made by the department unless the water requirements of the watershed or area in which the exchange is made are first and at all times met and satisfied to the extent that the requirements would have been met were the exchange not made, and no right to the use of water shall be gained or lost by reason of any such exchange.
(Amended by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1932.)