---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 2427"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "2427"
heading: "Water rights"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/2427"
units:
  - "Chapter 42 — Rural Water Supply"
  - "Subchapter II — Twenty-First Century Water Works"
---

# §2427. Water rights

- (a) **In general—** Nothing in this subchapter preempts or affects [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) water law or an interstate compact governing water.
- (b) **Compliance required—** The [Secretary](/usc/43/2401.md?p=10) shall comply with [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) water laws in carrying out this subchapter. Nothing in this subchapter affects or preempts [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) water law or an interstate compact governing water.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–451, title II, § 208, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3360.)