What is a common characteristic of systems utilizing the riparian doctrine?

The riparian doctrine is a legal framework governing the rights of landowners to use water from a water body that borders their property. A defining characteristic of the riparian doctrine is that it promotes reasonable sharing of water resources among those who have a right to access the water. This means that all landowners whose property adjoins a river, stream, or lake have the right to use water in a manner that is reasonable and does not significantly harm other riparian users.

Under the riparian doctrine, water use must be balanced and equitable, taking into consideration the needs of all users. This collaborative approach contrasts with more rigid water allocation systems, such as prior appropriation or strict division based on land ownership, that do not allow as much flexibility among users. Therefore, the emphasis on reasonable sharing is a hallmark of the riparian doctrine, making this the correct answer.