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  • How can I get information on my well?

    You can look up your well online at www.oregon.gov/owrd. You will need the legal description of your property (i.e. township, range, section, quarter section, and tax lot). You can also call the Oregon Water Resources Department.

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  • When is the irrigation season?

    The irrigation season typically runs from April 1st until November 1st but can vary depending on the district and water availability. Check with your irrigation district or watermaster for dates.

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  • How do I know what irrigation district I’m in?

    Call the Oregon Water Resources Department.

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  • Why am I not getting all my water?

    If you receive water through an Irrigation District, flows will gradually increase (ramp up) at the beginning of the season and ramp down toward the end of the season. Full flows are generally available from mid-May through mid-September. If your property lies outside of an irrigation district, your water availability is dependent on your priority date and the stream’s supply.

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  • What is instream leasing?

    Instream leasing refers to the temporary transfer of a water right to protect instream flows. The landowner (water right holder) retains ownership of the actual water right while the DRC (or other organization) obtains use of the water for a specified period of time. Landowners may donate their water or are paid for each acre of water leased for temporarily leaving their water instream.

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  • What is the benefit of leasing my water right instream?

    You need to beneficially use your water once every five years to maintain your water right. Each year of leasing instream protects your water right while simultaneously providing benefits to rivers and streams and counting as a beneficial use.

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  • How do rivers and streams benefit from instream leasing?

    Prior to 1987, Oregon did not consider water instream to be a beneficial use. Today we realize that if fish and wildlife benefit, the public also benefits. Other benefits include recreation, water quality, navigation, and conservation of aquatic life.

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  • How long does an instream lease last?

    Water can be leased for one to five years, but cannot exceed five years except by renewal. If you are interested in leasing longer than five years, contact the Deschutes River Conservancy for more information.

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  • Can I lease a portion of my water right?

    Yes. You may lease all or part of your water right to instream use. You are also allowed a split season lease so that you may apply water for part of the season and then lease the water instream for the remainder of the season.

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  • Can instream rights take water away from existing users?

    It depends. Instream rights hold the same priority date as the original water right. They must yield to senior users, but have priority over junior users.

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