OAR 660-017-0010
Classification System

There are four different types of estuaries. These are defined as:

(1)

“Natural estuaries”: Estuaries lacking maintained jetties or channels, and which are usually little developed for residential, commercial, or industrial uses. They may have altered shorelines, provided that these altered shorelines are not adjacent to an urban area. Shorelands around natural estuaries are generally used for agricultural, forest, recreation, and other rural uses.

(2)

“Conservation estuaries”: Estuaries lacking maintained jetties or channels, but which are within or adjacent to urban areas which have altered shorelines adjacent to the estuary.

(3)

“Shallow-draft development estuaries”: Estuaries with maintained jetties and a main channel (not entrance channel) maintained by dredging at 22 feet or less, except Nehalem Bay, which now has only authorized jetties and no authorized or maintained channel.

(4)

“Deep-draft development estuaries”: Estuaries with maintained jetties and a main channel maintained by dredging at deeper than 22 feet.

Source: Rule 660-017-0010 — Classification System, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=660-017-0010 (accessed May 26, 2025).

May 26, 2025

Rule 660-017-0010's source at or​.us