Oregon Historical County Records Guide
Washington County Records Inventory
Water Rights Records
1909-1981
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.
Some records related to water rights have been recorded as part of the Book of Records (Clerk and Recorder Official Filings).
Records at the Walnut Street Center Complex, Building E, County Historical Records Vault:
Certificate of Water Rights, 1914-1947 (.10 cu.ft);
McKay Creek Water Control District [Records], ca.1960-ca.1977 (2.50 cu.ft.);
Water Record [Rights-with index], vol. 1, 1914-1954 (1 volume);
Water Right Certificates, 1914 (1 volume);
Water Rights [Record-with index], vol. 1-3, 1909-1962 (3 volumes); vol. 4, 1962-1972 (1 volume); vol. 5, 1972-1979 (1 volume); vol. 6, 1979-1981 (1 volume).
Records at the Walnut Street Center Complex, Building E, County Records Center:
[Contestants Exhibits-Tualatin River Water Rights Adjudication Records-box no. 35801], 1959 (1 volume);
[Findings and Order of Determination-Tualatin River Water Rights Adjudication Records-box no. 35801], 1959 (1 volume);
[Tualatin River Water Rights Adjudication Records-box no. 35801], vol. 1-3, 1959 (3 volumes).