A reservation of water for in-stream use is a water right that protects specific in-stream water uses, such as fish spawning or recreation. It sets aside the water necessary for these activities and keeps later water users from appropriating water that may affect the in-stream activity. This dataset includes those features that are represented by polygons. This dataset includes additional information extracted from the Alaska Land Administration System by the Conservation Biology Institute. Water can be reserved for one or more permissible uses on a particular part of a stream or lake during a certain period of time. Under AS 46.15.145, permissible in-stream uses include:
Protection of fish and wildlife habitat, migration, and propagation
Recreation and parks
Navigation and transportation
Sanitation and water quality
A reservation of water for one use may also allow that same water to be used or reserved for another purpose. For example, a reservation for recreation may also benefit fish spawning. Like an out-of-stream water right, an in-stream reservation of water is similar to a property right. It cannot be abandoned, transferred, assigned, or converted to another use without approval of the Department of Natural Resources. This shape file characterizes the geographic representation of land parcels within the State of Alaska contained by the Instream Flow Reservation category. It has been extracted from data sets used to produce the State status plats. This data set includes cases noted on the digital status plats up to one day prior to data extraction. Each feature has an associated attribute record, including a Land Administration System (LAS) file-type and file-number which serves as an index to related LAS case-file information. Additional LAS case-file and customer information may be obtained at: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/las/LASMenu.cfm Those requiring more information regarding State land records should contact the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Public Information Center directly.
