OAR 690-513-0040: Warner Lakes Subbasin

(1) Objectives. The objectives of the Commission in managing the surface and ground water resources of the Warner Lakes Subbasin are to: (a) Avoid additional conflicts over inadequate supplies of water from and protecting the remaining instream flows in Deep and Camas, Honey and Snyder, and Twentymile Creeks; (b) Maintain water levels in Pelican and Crump Lakes. (2) Classifications. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the surface and ground waters of the Warner Lakes Subbasin are classified for agriculture, domestic, fish life, ground water recharge, industrial, instream, irrigation, mining, municipal, pollution abatement, power, recreation and stockwater uses. (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (C) and (D) of this subsection, surface waters of Deep Creek and tributaries below the point where Deep Creek enters Section 20, Township 40S, Range 22E are classified for any beneficial use of stored water, domestic and stockwater uses; (b) Surface waters of Deep Creek and tributaries above the point where Deep Creek enters Section 20, Township 40S, Range 22E are classified for any beneficial use of stored water, domestic, instream and stockwater uses; (c) Surface waters of Burnt Creek and tributaries above the point where Burnt Creek enters the east 1/2 section, Section 5, Township 40S, Range 22E are classified for any beneficial use of stored water, domestic, instream and stockwater uses; (d) Surface waters of Willow Creek and tributaries above the point where Willow Creek enters Section 8, Township 40S, Range 22E are classified for any beneficial use of stored water, domestic, instream and stockwater uses; (e) Surface waters of Honey Creek and tributaries below the point where Honey Creek enters Section 28, Township 36S, Range 22E are classified for any beneficial use of stored water, domestic and stockwater uses; (f) Surface waters of Honey Creek and tributaries above the point where Honey Creek enters Section 28, Township 36S, Range 22E are classified for any beneficial use of stored water, domestic, instream and stockwater uses; (g) Surface waters of Twentymile Creek and tributaries are classified for any beneficial use of stored water, domestic and stockwater uses; (h) Ground water from alluvial aquifers within the Deep Creek drainage and above the point where Deep Creek enters Section 21, Township 39S, Range 24E is classified for domestic and stockwater uses only; (i) Ground water from alluvial aquifers within the Honey Creek drainage and above the point where Honey Creek enters Section 29, Township 36S, 24E is classified for domestic and stockwater uses only; (j) Ground water from alluvial aquifers within the Twentymile Creek drainage and above the point where Twentymile Creek enters Section 24, Township 40S, Range 23E is classified for domestic and stockwater uses only; (k) Ground water from any well within 1,000 feet of Deep, Honey or Twentymile Creeks, or a tributary, and taking water from an unconfined aquifer is classified for domestic and stockwater uses only. This paragraph only applies to wells within the following areas: (A) Sections 26–29 and 32–34; Township 36S; Range 24E; (B) Sections 1–4, 9–16, 21–29, and 31–36; Township 39S; Range 24E; (C) Sections 6, 7, 17–20, and 29–32; Township 39S; Range 25E; (D) Sections 12, 13, and 24; Township 40S; Range 23E; (E) Sections 1–11, 15–21, and 28–30; Township 40S; Range 24E; (F) Sections 5, 6, and 8; Township 40S; Range 25E. (3) Reservoir Standards. Development of a reservoir may be permitted on any stream in the Warner Lakes Subbasin, however, in addition to meeting any other standards required by the Commission, any person proposing development of a reservoir in the subbasin shall give due consideration to: (a) Alternative sizing of the project to achieve a reasonable economic development of the proposed site; (b) The potential for use of the reservoir, and any water which is stored and released, for multiple beneficial uses; and (c) The maintenance of natural flows downstream from the reservoir at levels sufficient to meet instream and out-of-stream needs.