What doctrine allows landowners whose land borders non-navigable bodies of water to use the water as long as other landowners' rights are not infringed upon?

The riparian rights doctrine is the correct answer because it specifically addresses the rights of landowners whose property is adjacent to a non-navigable body of water, such as a river or stream. Under this doctrine, landowners are entitled to reasonable use of the water for purposes such as irrigation, domestic use, or recreation, as long as their usage does not negatively impact the rights of other landowners who share the same water source. This principle is based on the idea that water flowing through or adjacent to the land is a resource that should be shared among those who have property rights along the watercourse.

In contrast, other doctrines involve different aspects of water rights. The prior appropriation doctrine assigns water rights to individuals based on their first use of the water, regardless of land ownership along the water body, which is typically associated with arid regions. The littoral rights doctrine applies to landowners whose property borders navigable waters, like lakes or oceans, focusing on access and use of the shore and water. Lastly, the term "water rights doctrine" is a broader term that encompasses various legal principles and regulations regarding water use and rights, and it does not specifically refer to the situation concerning non-navigable bodies of water.

Thus, the