Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 690 - WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
Division 507 - UMATILLA BASIN PROGRAM
Section 690-507-0070 - Columbia-Umatilla Plateau Subbasin

(A) Subject to the provisions of OAR 690-507-0050(2)(c)(B) and (C), the surface waters of the Umatilla River main stem are classified for domestic, livestock, irrigation of noncommercial lawn and garden not to exceed 1/2 acre, frost control, municipal, industrial, power development, mining, fish life, wildlife, recreation, pollution abatement, artificial groundwater recharge, and public instream uses during the period November 1 through May 31 each year. This classification rescinds the Commission's order of December 2, 1985, withdrawing the Umatilla River and tributaries from further appropriation from November 1 through May 31 each year until December 31, 1988;

(B) The surface waters of Umatilla River tributaries are classified for domestic, livestock, irrigation, frost control, power development (subject to the limitations of OAR Chapter 690, Division 51), mining, pollution abatement and artificial groundwater recharge during the period November 1 through May 31 each year; and

(C) The surface waters of all other streams are classified for domestic, livestock, irrigation, frost control, power development (subject to limitations of OAR Chapter 690, Division 51), mining and artificial groundwater recharge.

(A) Recharged water used under a secondary permit for irrigation may only provide supplemental water to lands with existing irrigation rights or permits on June 24, 1988;

(B) Diversion of surface water for recharge for irrigation under a secondary permit shall not exceed 2.25 acre feet per acre to be irrigated; and

(C) If the recharged water is to be used for municipal or industrial purposes under a secondary permit, the applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Commission that it has an active water conservation program.

(A) The groundwater resources of the basalt aquifer in the Ella Butte Groundwater Study Area described in the Proclamation of January 31, 1985, are classified for statutorily exempt uses (see definition) only. This classification terminates the critical groundwater area determination proceeding initiated January 31, 1985, and the Proclamation of the same date issued for the Ella Butte study area;

(B) The groundwater resources of the Columbia-Umatilla Plateau outside the Ordnance and Butter Creek Critical Groundwater Areas and the Ella Butte and Stage Gulch Groundwater Study Areas are classified for statutorily exempt groundwater uses (see definition), irrigation, municipal, industrial, power development, low temperature geothermal, mining, fish life, wildlife, recreation, pollution abatement, and artificial groundwater recharge;

(C) Groundwater from the basalt reservoir in a five-mile radius around any municipal well of the cities of Heppner, Helix, Ione, Lexington, and Pendleton is classified for municipal, group domestic and statutorily exempt groundwater uses (see definition) only. Other uses may be permitted if it is documented that a barrier to groundwater movement separates a proposed well from municipal wells and there will be no interference with municipal wells. Applications for other uses of groundwater within a five-mile radius of a municipal well shall automatically be referred to the Commission for review and consideration of public interest unless the affected city affirms that it is in favor of the proposed appropriation. This classification applies only when the affected city(ies) have a full-time conservation program in effect;

(D) Subject to the more strict controls imposed by the existing State Gulch Proclamation or issuance of a critical area order for the Stage Gulch Groundwater Study Area, groundwater from the basalt reservoir in a five-mile radius around any municipal well of the cities of Echo, Hermiston, Pendleton, Stanfield, and Umatilla is classified for municipal, group domestic and statutorily exempt groundwater uses (see definition) only. Other uses may be permitted if it is documented that a barrier to groundwater movement separates a proposed well from municipal wells and there will be no interference with municipal wells. Applications for other uses of groundwater within a five-mile radius of a municipal well shall automatically be referred to the Commission for review and consideration of public interest unless the affected city affirms that is in favor of the proposed appropriation. This classification applies only when the affected city(ies) have a full-time conservation program in effect.