DCHP-1 Online
water privilege † Hist. 
1 a site on a river, creek, etc. suitable for building a mill run by water power.
See also: mill site
- 1833 (1917) All the villages in Canada are situate on creeks, and the finding of a water privilege is the first requisite in the formation of a village.
- 1852, 1923 There is a fine water privilege not a stone's-throw from the door.
- 1863 " . . . Why, there's a far better site for a town plot on my land, Holt." "Ay, and a better water privilege too. . . ."
2 Placer Mining the right to hold and make use of such a site.
- 1835 (1838) "Then, there is that water privilege, worth 3,000 or 4,000 dollars. . . ."
- 1849 It would be advisable, for the sake of further settlements, that the water privileges, so much abused on this and other rivers, be purchased back by the Government, or be abolished by some means or other; say by lateral mill races
3 Placer Mining the right to set up a dam to provide water for a sluice.
- 1860 A Mr. Whitworth has also recorded a water privilege on the creek about a mile below the forks, and proposes bringing water to a bar near the mouth of it.
- 1833 (1917) All the villages in Canada are situate on creeks, and the finding of a water privilege is the first requisite in the formation of a village.