---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 481"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "481"
heading: "Use of waters"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/481"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — National Forests"
  - "Subchapter I — Establishment and Administration"
---

# §481. Use of waters


All waters within the boundaries of national forests may be used for domestic, mining, milling, or irrigation purposes, under the laws of the [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) wherein such national forests are situated, or under the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations established thereunder.


## Source credit

(June 4, 1897, ch. 2, § 1, 30 Stat. 36.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

“National forests” substituted in text for “reservations” and “forest reservations” on authority of act Mar. 4, 1907, ch. 2907, 34 Stat. 1269, which provided that forest reserves shall hereafter be known as national forests.