Total Water Use

On the average day, massive amounts of water are used throughout Oregon. Counties with the highest levels of water use per day are typically areas where widespread irrigation is necessary. The daily average does not reflect how water use changes season-to-season, which is especially true in heavily irrigated areas. Data are collected in millions of gallons per day.

Water Rights

All water in Oregon is publicly owned. However, in order to extract water from any source, water users must obtain a water permit from the State of Oregon. These permits are known as water rights. Water rights are divided into 13 usage categories by the Oregon Water Resources Department. The number of water rights in an area shows how many different parties are extracting water, not the amount of water being used.

Mining

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Mining operations use water for extraction and grading or processing of minerals or aggregates, as well as for construction and operations at mining sites.

Domestic

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Domestic water is used for human consumption, households, and domestic animals. Domestic water rights are different than municipal water utilities. Subcategories include domestic landscaping, group use, and school use.

Agriculture

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Water used for the production of agricultural products, excluding irrigation. Agricultural water rights can be used for operations, sanitation, and maintenance at agricultural facilities. Some additional applications include dust control, flood harvesting, and animal waste management.

Irrigation

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Irrigation is used to grow crops and plants. This is primarily for agricultural purposes, but is also used for commercial gardens, golf courses, and parks. Irrigation is the largest water use category in Oregon.

Commercial/Industrial

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Water for commercial and industrial purposes is used for the production or sale of goods or services. Water can be used specifically for the production of goods, or, more commonly, to support maintenance and operation at commercial facilities, such as hotels, stores, and hospitals. These water rights can be used by private or public organizations.

Recreation

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Recreational water rights allocate water for fun and amusement. This can include boating, swimming, fishing, and the support of natural systems. This category includes water used by parks and recreation authorities for purposes other than watering plants.

Power

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Water is used to produce electricity or mechanical power. In Oregon, this is primarily for the operation of hydraulic rams or water wheels, which are used to generate hydroelectricity.

Fish

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Water is used for aquaculture or the protection of fish habitats. Fish water rights are typically used in conjunction with instream rights.

Livestock

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Water is used for the maintenance of livestock supplies. This is primarily directly used for livestock drinking water.

Municipal

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Water is used for services provided by municipal organizations, typically in the form of water bureaus or authorities. Water from municipal providers can be used domestically, commercially, industrially, and for irrigation. Municipal water cannot be used for the generation of hydroelectricity.

Instream

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Instream water rights are used within the channels of streams and rivers. They are used for temperature control, fisheries enhancement, and fish propagation. They can also be used to support recreation.

Wildlife

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Water used for maintaining wild species and habitats. These water rights are typically maintained in wildlife preserves and parks.

Miscellaneous

This map shows 1 of 13 water right usage categories outlined by the Oregon Water Resources Department. Permits for each category have different requirements and stipulations.

Water used for applications not outlined in the previous categories. Its two main sub-categories are fire protection and water storage. Other miscellaneous uses include road construction, pollution abatement, and forest management.