What type of rights allows a landowner to use water from a bordering stream?

The correct choice encompasses the concept of riparian rights, which are legal entitlements held by landowners whose properties are adjacent to a body of water, such as a stream or river. These rights grant the landowner the ability to use water from the bordering stream for purposes such as irrigation, household needs, or other beneficial uses, as long as the use does not harm the rights of other riparian owners.

Riparian rights are typically tied to the land but not necessarily to the individual; thus, they may pass along with the property upon sale or transfer. This legal principle is grounded in the idea that water is a shared resource and should be fairly managed among those who are nearest to it.

The other options represent distinct types of property rights that do not specifically address the use of water from a stream. For example, prescriptive rights pertain to the use of land or resources based on continuous and uninterrupted usage over time, potentially without the owner's permission. Appurtenant rights typically refer to rights that attach to the land itself, often involving easements for access or certain privileges, but not specifically to water use. Lastly, surface rights relate to the ownership and use of the land's surface, without addressing water rights directly.