16 USC § 481 - Use of waters

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t16/s481"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "16 USC § 481 - Use of waters"
title_number: 16
title_name: "CONSERVATION"
section_number: "481"
section_name: "Use of waters"
chapter_number: 2
chapter_name: "NATIONAL FORESTS"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 4, 1897, ch. 2, § 1, 30 Stat. 36.)"
---


# § 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 wherein such national forests are situated, or under the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations established thereunder.

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**Source Credit**: (June 4, 1897, ch. 2, § 1, 30 Stat. 36.)

## Editorial Notes

### Codification

“National forests” substituted in text for “reservations” and “forest reservations” on authority of , , which provided that forest reserves shall hereafter be known as national forests.