Watermaster

The District 18 Watermaster’s Office is a field office of the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) in cooperation with Washington County, and is responsible for water supply management within the Tualatin, Lake Oswego, and Lower Willamette Drainage Basins. 

There are twenty-two (22) Watermaster Districts statewide, organized into five (5) regions. The Watermaster is a local contact for landowners, elected officials and watershed councils, in addition to other government agencies at the local, state and federal level. The Watermaster and staff also conduct streamflow measurements and maintain gaging stations, conduct well inspections and collect groundwater level data, perform routine dam safety inspections, assist in stream recovery efforts, provide information to landowners and the public about water rights and Oregon Water Law, regulate water use during times of shortage and mediate disputes between water users. To look up water rights or download application forms, please go to Oregon Water Resources Department.