Purpose

Under Oregon law, all water is publicly owned. All users must obtain a permit or water right from the Water Resources Department to use water from any source – whether it is underground, or from lakes or streams.

Responsibility & Timeframe

The Project Manager on a development project needs to be aware that water cannot be withdrawn from a water body such as Oak Creek or drill a well for water usage without obtaining a permit for water rights. It is very unlikely that a water right permit would be issued to an entity within the City of Corvallis city limits (or any other City where OSU owns properties. Even outside of City limits, water rights may be difficult or impossible to obtain unless the water rights are purchased as part of a land purchase.

Process

If obtaining water from domestic source (City water) is not an option, submit permit to the Oregon State Water Resources Department clearly stating the need and desired use of the water.