43 USC § 498 - Transfer of management and operation of works to water users generally

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t43/s498"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "43 USC § 498 - Transfer of management and operation of works to water users generally"
title_number: 43
title_name: "PUBLIC LANDS"
section_number: "498"
section_name: "Transfer of management and operation of works to water users generally"
chapter_number: 12
chapter_name: "RECLAMATION AND IRRIGATION OF LANDS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT"
subchapter_number: "XI"
subchapter_name: "MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF WORKS GENERALLY"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, § 6, 32 Stat. 389.)"
---


# § 498. Transfer of management and operation of works to water users generally

*Provided*

When the payments required by this Act are made for the major portion of the lands irrigated from the waters of any of the works herein provided for, then the management and operation of such irrigation works shall pass to the owners of the lands irrigated thereby, to be maintained at their expense under such form of organization and under such rules and regulations as may be acceptable to the Secretary of the Interior; , That the title to and the management and operation of the reservoirs and the works necessary for their protection and operation shall remain in the Government until otherwise provided by Congress.

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**Source Credit**: (June 17, 1902, ch. 1093, § 6, 32 Stat. 389.)

## Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This Act, referred to in text, is act , popularly known as the Reclamation Act, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under  and Tables.

### Codification

Section is comprised of part of section 6 of act . Remainder of such section 6 is classified to .

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Section as Unaffected by Submerged Lands Act

Provisions of this section as not amended, modified or repealed by the Submerged Lands Act, see .