OAR 690-502-0080
McKenzie River Subbasin


The McKenzie River Subbasin includes the McKenzie River and tributaries above confluence with the Willamette River:

(1)

Surface water classification:

(a)

The McKenzie River from Clear Lake to Carmen Reservoir, from Tamolitch Falls to Trail Bridge Reservoir and from Trail Bridge Dam to Paradise Campground is designated a state scenic waterway. The McKenzie River and tributaries above Paradise Campground near river mile 73 (Sec 9, T16S, R6E) are classified only for domestic, commercial use for customarily domestic purposes not to exceed 0.01 cfs, livestock and public instream uses;

(b)

The South Fork McKenzie River from the Three Sisters Wilderness boundary downstream to Cougar Reservoir and from Cougar Dam downstream to the confluence with the McKenzie River is designated a state scenic waterway. The South Fork McKenzie River and its tributaries are classified only for domestic, commercial use for customarily domestic purposes not to exceed 0.01 cfs, livestock and public instream uses;

(c)

Blue River upstream from its confluence with the McKenzie River and tributaries are classified year-round only for domestic, commercial use for customarily domestic purposes not to exceed 0.01 cfs, livestock and public instream uses;

(d)

Except as specified in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, all tributaries to the McKenzie River are classified for domestic, livestock, municipal, industrial, irrigation, agricultural, commercial, power, mining, fish life, wildlife, recreation, pollution abatement, wetland enhancement and public instream uses from October 1 through June 30, and only for domestic, commercial use for customarily domestic purposes not to exceed 0.01 cfs, livestock and public instream uses from July 1 through September 30;

(e)

Except as specified in subsection (a) of this section, the McKenzie River main stem downstream from Paradise Campground near river mile 73 (Sec 9, T16S, R6E) is classified only for domestic, livestock, municipal, industrial, agricultural, commercial, power, mining, fish life, wildlife, recreation, pollution abatement, wetland enhancement, off-channel power development in conjunction with storage and public instream uses;

(f)

The waters of the natural lakes of the McKenzie River subbasin above 3,000 feet elevation are classified only for domestic, excluding irrigation of lawn and noncommercial garden, commercial use for customarily domestic purposes not to exceed 0.01 cfs, livestock and public instream uses. Storage shall not be allowed on these lakes.

(2)

For the purpose of maintaining a minimum perennial streamflow sufficient to support aquatic life and to minimize pollution and of attaining the highest and best use of waters released from storage, no appropriations of water except for domestic or livestock uses or waters to be legally stored or legally released from storage shall be made or granted by any state agency or public corporation of the state for the following waters and as shown in Table 1:

(a)

The South Fork McKenzie River or its tributaries above the South Fork McKenzie River-McKenzie River confluence for natural flows of the South Fork McKenzie River below 200 cubic feet per second, plus waters released from storage of up to 230 cubic feet per second measured at a point between said confluence and 1.0 miles above said confluence;

(b)

Blue River or its tributaries above the Blue River-McKenzie River confluence for natural flows of Blue River below 30 cubit feet per second, plus waters released from storage of up to 350 cubic feet per second measured at a point between said confluence and 1.0 miles above said confluence;

(c)

The McKenzie River or its tributaries above USGS-State Engineer Gage 14162500 (NE 14 Section 5, Township 17 South, Range 3 East) near Vida, Oregon, for natural flows of the McKenzie River below 1,400 cubic feet per second plus waters released from storage of up to 580 cubic feet per second measured at the aforementioned gage;

(d)

The McKenzie River or its tributaries above the intersection of the McKenzie River and Interstate Highway 5 for natural flows of the McKenzie River below 1,025 cubic feet per second, plus waters released from storage of up to 700 cubic feet per second, measured at the intersection of the McKenzie River and Interstate Highway 5.
[ED. NOTE: Tables referenced are available from the agency.]

Source: Rule 690-502-0080 — McKenzie River Subbasin, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=690-502-0080.

Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 690-502-0080’s source at or​.us