Description: The Deschutes Ground Water Mitigation Program was developed to provide for new ground water uses while maintaining scenic waterway and instream water right flows in the Deschutes Basin. Much of the mainstem Deschutes River and its tributaries are protected by scenic waterway designations and instream water rights. There are also existing surface water rights on the Deschutes River and its tributaries for out of stream uses, such as irrigation and municipal. In the Deschutes Basin above Pelton Dam, there is a direct hydraulic connection between ground water and surface water flows. Because of this connection, ground water withdrawals affect surface water flows. Since scenic waterway flows and instream water rights are not always satisfied, the Department may not approve new ground water permits unless the impacts are mitigated. The mitigation program provides a set of tools that applicants for new ground water permits can use to establish mitigation and, thereby, obtain new permits from the Department.