Oregon Historical County Records Guide
Polk County Records Inventory
Water Rights Records
1915-1979
Series documents the authorization by the state and local governments for the use of public waters. Series includes water rights, licenses, and certificates of water rights issued by the state and filed with the county. Records may include alphabetical indexes to the certificates, transcripts, statements, evidence, and other records specifically related to water rights cases heard by circuit and appellate courts. Information includes names of individuals proving water rights; locations of water rights including the township, range, and section number; descriptions of land under such rights; and limitations of appropriations of rights and use of rights (i.e., length of time, usage). Original water rights certificates are filed with the Oregon Water Resources Department.
Water rights certificates were recorded in the Book of Records (Clerk and Recorder Official Filings) beginning in 1970.
Records at the Polk County Courthouse, County Clerk's Office:
[Water Rights-Certificates], 1915-1969 (1 reel of microfilm).
Records at the Polk County Courthouse, County Clerk's Office, Antique Black Credenza:
[Findings of Fact and Order of Determination Yamhill River and Its Tributaries], 1979 (1 volume).
Records at the Polk County Courthouse, Circuit Court Records Office:
Documents Ash Creek and Its Tributaries [Water Rights], 1973 (1 volume);
[Documents Luckiamute River and Its Tributaries-Water Rights], vol. 1, 1973 (1 volume);
Findings of Fact and Order of Determination Ash Creek and Its Tributaries, 1973 (1 volume);
Findings of Fact and Order of Determination Luckiamute River and Its Tributaries, 1973 (1 volume);
Statements and Proofs of Claim Luckiamute River and Its Tributaries, vol. 2, 1971-1972 (1 volume).
Records at the Polk County Historical Society Museum, Archives:
Water Rights Certificates [Record-with index], vol. 1-3, 1915-1969 (3 volumes).