§ 41-4-503 — Recordation; approval or rejection generally

All applications which shall comply with the provisions of this
chapter, and with the regulations of the engineer's office,
shall be recorded in a suitable book kept for that purpose; and
it shall be the duty of the state engineer to approve all
applications made in proper form, which contemplate the
application of the water to a beneficial use and where the
proposed use does not tend to impair the value of existing
rights, or be otherwise detrimental to the public welfare. But
where there is no unappropriated water in the proposed source of
supply, or where the proposed use conflicts with existing
rights, or threatens to prove detrimental to the public
interest, it shall be the duty of the state engineer to reject
such application and refuse to issue the permit asked for.