A separate application is required for each water use subject to transfer that is involved in the proposed transfer, except for those circumstances outlined in OAR 690-380-2240(1) and (5) or unless the criteria under OAR 690-380-3220 are met. Each transfer application shall be prepared in ink or typewritten on forms provided by the Department. Applications shall contain the following information concerning the primary water right and any appurtenant supplemental water right or permit, if applicable:

1. (1) Applicant’s name, mailing address, email address (if available), and telephone number.
2. (2) Type of change proposed.
3. (3) Name appearing on permit, certificate, decree or proof of appropriation.
4. (4) Name of decree and certificate number, if applicable.
5. (5) Permit number and certificate number, if applicable.
6. (6) Source of water (from permit, decree or certificate).
7. (7) Date of priority.

8. (8) The existing authorized and proposed points of diversion or appropriation located accurately in reference to a public land survey corner. If the request is for a change in point of diversion, then the application shall also:

   1. (a) Indicate whether the proposed point of diversion is located upstream or downstream from the existing authorized point of diversion; and

   2. (b) Provide any information, if known, regarding fish screens and passage at the proposed point of diversion, including but not limited to the following:

      1. (A) Any previous ODFW fish screening certification letter and/or passage approval number;
      2. (B) A copy of any preliminary ODFW fish screen and/or passage determination; and
      3. (C) Name and contact information for the ODFW representative(s) with whom the applicant is working.
9. (9) The existing authorized use of water.
10. (10) A description of the current water delivery system that demonstrates that the applicant is ready, willing, and able to exercise the right and includes information on the capacity of any pumps, canals, and pipelines used to divert and convey the water to the authorized use.
11. (11) The existing authorized place of use identified by its location within the public land survey and tax lot number.

12. (12) Evidence that the water has been used beneficially over the past five years in accordance with the terms and conditions of the right or that the right is not subject to forfeiture under ORS 540.610. The evidence shall include:

    1. (a) A completed evidence of use affidavit on a form provided by the Department;

    2. (b) If the right has been used during the past five years, one or more affidavits from persons, such as the owner or operator, a neighbor, crop field person for a cannery or other product buyer, or Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) representatives, who can attest from personal knowledge or professional expertise that the right was exercised at the authorized location and for the authorized purpose. Such affidavits shall state the specific grounds for the affiant’s knowledge, the specific use to which the water was put (e.g., the crops grown, the nursery stock watered), and the delivery system used to apply the water and include supporting documentation which may include, but is not limited to:

       1. (A) Records such as Farm Service Agency crop reports, irrigation district records, an NRCS farm management plan, or records of other water suppliers;
       2. (B) Dated satellite imagery, dated aerial photographs of the lands, or other photographs containing sufficient detail to establish the location and date of the photograph; or
       3. (C) Any other documentation with sufficient detail to support the affidavit attesting to beneficial use of the water right during the past five years.
    3. (c) If the right has not been used during the past five years, documentation that the presumption of forfeiture would be rebutted under ORS 540.610(2), or is exempt under ORS 540.610(3)-(4) or 540.612.

13. (13) For permanent transfers under OAR 690-380-2000:

    1. (a) A signed statement that the applicant understands that:

       1. (A) For all applications other than a change in point of diversion to reflect historical use under OAR 690-380-2120, upon receipt of the initial review described in OAR 690-380-4000 and prior to the Department issuing a proposed final order on the transfer, the applicant will be required to provide landownership information and evidence that the applicant is authorized to pursue the transfer as identified in OAR 690-380-4000(6); or
       2. (B) For an application to make a change in point of diversion to reflect historical use under OAR 690-380-2120, prior to Department approval of the transfer, the applicant will be required to provide landownership information and evidence that the applicant is authorized to pursue the transfer as identified in OAR 690-380-4000(6);
    2. (b) A statement affirming that the applicant is a municipality as defined in ORS 540.510(3)(b) and that the right is in the name of the municipality or a predecessor; or
    3. (c) Documentation that the applicant is an entity with the authority to condemn property and is acquiring by condemnation the property to which the water right proposed for transfer is appurtenant. Such an entity may only apply for a transfer under this subsection if it has filed a condemnation action to acquire the property and deposited the funds with the court as required by ORS 35.265. Such an entity need not obtain the consent or authorization for the change from any other person or entity.
14. (14) For temporary transfers under OAR 690-380-8000, name of the deeded landowner of the land to which the water right is appurtenant and a copy of the recorded deed to the subject lands. If the applicant is not the deeded landowner, the applicant shall provide a notarized statement from the landowner authorizing the change.
15. (15) The proposed use of water.
16. (16) The proposed place of use shall be identified by its location within the public land survey and, if the applicant is not a municipality as defined in ORS 540.510(3)(b), by tax lot number and name and address of each tax lot owner(s) other than the applicant.
17. (17) Reason for the proposed change.
18. (18) Map as required in OAR 690-380-3100.

19. (19) Land use information as outlined in the Department’s Land Use Planning Procedures Guide, except for those transfers that meet the following four requirements:

    1. (a) Where existing and proposed water uses would be located entirely within lands zoned for exclusive farm use as provided in ORS 215.203 or within irrigation districts;
    2. (b) That involve changes in place of use only;
    3. (c) That do not involve the placement or modification of structures including but not limited to water diversion, impoundment, or distribution facilities, water wells, and well houses; and
    4. (d) That involve irrigation water uses only.
20. (20) If the request is for a change in point of diversion to a well, or a change in point of appropriation, copies of water well reports for the authorized and proposed point of appropriation. If water well reports are not available, a description of the construction of each well, including but not limited to, well depth, static water level, casing size, and any other necessary information to establish the groundwater body developed or proposed to be developed.

21. (21) A listing of the names and mailing addresses of:

    1. (a) All affected local governments, including but not limited to, county, city, municipal corporations, and tribal governments; and
    2. (b) Any district in which the affected water right is located or that serves the right and any district in which the affected water right would be located or that would serve the right after the proposed transfer.
22. (22) An oath that the information contained in the application is true and accurate.
23. (23) If a portion of the fee is waived pursuant to OAR 690-380-3400, documentation showing that the proposed transfer qualifies for the fee waiver.
24. (24) The signature of the applicant, and if an entity, the title of the person signing the form.
25. (25) The appropriate fee as required under ORS 536.050, less any portion waived pursuant to OAR 690-380-3400.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 536.025 & ORS 536.027

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 540.510 - 540.531, ORS 536.050 & Or Laws 2025, ch 282

History

WRD 4-2026, minor correction filed 06/15/2026, effective 06/15/2026
WRD 3-2026, amend filed 03/20/2026, effective 04/01/2026
WRD 5-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-6-06
WRD 8-2004, f. & cert. ef. 11-5-04
WRD 2-2003, f. & cert. ef. 5-1-03, Renumbered from 690-015-0060
Reverted to WRD 5-1996, f. & cert. ef. 7-11-96
WRD 1-2000(Temp), f. 5-16-00, cert. ef. 5-16-00 thru 11-10-00
WRD 5-1996, f. & cert. ef. 7-11-96
WRD 16-1990, f. & cert. ef. 8-23-90
WRD 12-1990, f. & cert. ef. 8-8-90
WRD 10-1988, f. & cert. ef. 8-10-88
WRD 7-1987, f. & ef. 6-11-87