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authority provides a means for superior use to interfere with a prior appropriation for an inferior use. This procedure of ac- quisition is an exercise of the power of eminent domain. Accompany- ing this power, however, is the obligation to compensate the deprived party. In Nebraska, domestic uses have preference over all other uses and agricultural uses have preference over manu- facturing uses and the generation of electric power. Relative Status of Riparian and Appropriative Rights. Conflict- ing claims as to the better right in law between appropriators seeking water for the same purpose, and hence not subject to the Preference System, are subject to the principle that first in time is first in right. Between riparians, the common-law doctrine of reasonable use governs, their relative rights to the water. Between a riparian and an appropriator, early Nebraska court decisions found for the superiority of the appropriator. In 1966, however, the courts laid down a different ruling. It appears that hereafter the Court intends to consider and decide water right disputes between riparians and appropriators on the basis of equity, having now recognized that both sides possess equally protected interests. Since the preference system applies only to appropri- ators, riparians may seek the protection of equitable remedy regardless of the contesting use. Inter-basin Water Transfers. Although inter-basin water transfers in Nebraska have been allowed, it is not clear what circumstances will assure the legality of further attempts in the future. The two Nebraska statutes of special interest do not ex- plicitly prohibit inter-basin transfers, but they do present 2-36