Wyo. Stat. § 41-2-116: Water rights.

(a) The director of the Wyoming water development office shall, at the direction of the governor, file applications in the name of the state of Wyoming for permits to appropriate water, to construct dams and other works, and to take the steps necessary to acquire, maintain or preserve the priority of any right essential to any project which is or may become a project of the Wyoming water development program, except that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize or empower the director of the Wyoming water development office to acquire water rights through the power of eminent domain.

(b) All laws of the state relating to the appropriation and use of water shall apply to any projects of the Wyoming water development program.