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In ordinary words.
An older water claim may outrank a newer claimant even when a river is under severe strain.
In legal terms.
Western water law in many states follows prior appropriation: first in time, first in right, subject to beneficial-use and public-interest constraints.
Where it stops being legal.
State priority administration, federal rights, environmental requirements and abandonment rules can alter use.
Legal authority / Start reading
State water codes; prior appropriation doctrine
Open cited reference ↗General U.S.-focused information. Cases and statutes may have jurisdiction-specific exceptions. This citation may be a general primer; verify the governing primary authority. Not legal advice.