85-2-403. Transfer of appropriation right. (1) The right to use water shall pass with a conveyance of the land or transfer by operation of law, unless specifically exempted therefrom. All transfers of interests in appropriation rights shall be without loss of priority.

(2) Failure to comply with the provisions of 85-2-402 does not render a conveyance or reservation of a water right void, but the right may not be used until the department has approved the change. This subsection applies retroactively, within the meaning of 1-2-109, to a conveyance or reservation made after July 1, 1973.