How did the Mormons bexome leaders in water usage in the West?

Question:

How did the Mormons bexome leaders in water usage in the West?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: They had a system that included shared use of a limited resource. In other areas of the country whoever is higher upstream has the rights unless the guy down river can prove he had a preexisting use of the water. The church leaders claimed the rights for all, and distributed accoring to need.