If a non-riparian owner is given permission to take water from a lake or river, how does he take it?

The correct approach for a non-riparian owner to take water from a lake or river, provided they have received permission, is through appropriation. In water law, appropriation refers to the legal process that allows individuals to divert water from a watercourse or water body for beneficial use. This principle is especially significant in areas where water rights are contested, and states often provide frameworks for obtaining these rights legally.

In the context of a non-riparian owner, this means that even though they do not own property adjacent to the water body—which would typically grant riparian rights—they can still lawfully utilize water if they have the appropriate permissions or licenses granted by the governing authority. This legal permission is essential because, without it, taking water could constitute illegal diversion or usage.

The other options describe different concepts but do not specifically apply to the context of taking water from a lake or river with permission for use. For instance, leasing typically refers to the rental of property rather than rights related to water usage. Conservation relates to the sustainable management of resources rather than the legal acquisition of water rights. Acquisition generally refers to ownership transfer and does not necessarily outline the legal frameworks around water usage rights, making appropriation the most accurate choice for this scenario.