What distinguishes littoral rights from riparian rights?

Littoral rights pertain specifically to properties that border large bodies of water such as lakes or seas, whereas riparian rights are associated with properties adjacent to flowing bodies of water, such as rivers or streams. This distinction is crucial as it defines the type of water each set of rights concerns.

When a property owner possesses littoral rights, they have the ability to use and enjoy the water and may have rights to the land between the high and low water marks of a lake. In contrast, riparian rights give landowners the right to use water from flowing bodies, ensuring they can access the water for practical uses without significantly impacting the flow to other riparian landowners upstream or downstream.

Understanding this distinction is essential for real estate matters and property rights, especially in areas where water access varies widely depending on the type of waterbody alongside which a property lies.