Stock Water Use
Stock water use is limited to direct livestock consumption and the minimum conveyance necessary to deliver that water, consistent with the underlying water right, district delivery rules, and historical use.
Stock water use is limited to livestock consumption. Expansion into irrigation, storage, or domestic use falls outside authorized use.
DEFENSIBLE USE
Livestock Consumption: Livestock drinking from troughs – Recognized beneficial use (**ORS 537.120**)
Trough Filling: Periodic filling during irrigation season or stock runs – Authorized purpose
Small Conveyance: Short ditch or pipe – Necessary for delivery
Historical Use Pattern: Consistent herd size and diversion – No enlargement (**OAR 690-300**)
Incidental Loss: Minor overflow/seepage – Operational
NON-DEFENSIBLE USE
Irrigation: Watering pasture – Unauthorized use (**ORS 540.610**)
Off-Season Irrigation: Using stock runs to irrigate – Outside purpose
Storage: Filling ponds/tanks – Requires right (**ORS 537.130**)
Landscaping: Yards/trees/dust – Not stock use
Domestic Expansion: Homes/rentals – Exceeds exemption (**ORS 537.141**)
Commercial Use: Events/agritourism – Not authorized
If water benefits land or structures, it is not stock water.
ENFORCEMENT TRIGGERS
- Visible irrigation during stock runs
- Large wetted areas
- Continuous diversion with few animals
- Storage filling off-season
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
**ORS 537.120** – Beneficial use defines the right
**ORS 537.130** – Storage requires a permit
**ORS 537.141** – Exempt uses (limited stock)
**ORS 540.610** – Misuse prohibited
**ORS 538.440** – Tumalo Creek protections
**OAR 690-300** – No enlargement / injury standard
**OAR 690-380** – Enforcement authority