Description: The OWRD Basin Programs are basin-specific administrative rules that govern the allocation of water in each respective basin, including how water may be diverted from one basin to another. There are 18 Administrative Basins (map), most of which have an associated Basin Program.
The Administrative Basin boundaries were originally defined by OWRD map number 0.2, dated 1987, and entitled "Oregon Drainage Basins." The boundaries, for the most part, follow the hydrologic accounting units (level 3), and hydrologic cataloging units (level 4) in other areas.
While these boundaries were originally derived from hydrologic units, they have become static as administrative boundaries. As hydrologic units improve and "change" their boundaries, the Administrative Basin boundaries do not change.