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Ground & Surface Waters The Water Cycle describes how water travels through the environment. Water continually recycles itself, moving from the soil’s surface to runoff and seepage underground, through the atmosphere and back to the surface. Runoff is the movement of water from precipitation. Storm water collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans where it is considered surface water. Some runoff infiltrates soil and supports the growth of vegetation. Percolation downward through rock and soil below the root zone adds to groundwater storage. Groundwater is held in underground soil pore space where it can be access by domestic wells Evaporation occurs as water is returned to the atmosphere in the form of vapor. Condensation is the cooling of water vapor until it liquefies, causing clouds in the atmosphere, and eventually becoming rain or snow. Precipitation is moisture that falls as rain, snow, sleet or hail and adds to surface water and groundwater storage. Water Ownership In many states, including Oregon, all water is publicly owned. With some exceptions, cities, farmers, factory owners, and other water users must obtain a permit to use water from any source, whether water is underground, or from lakes or streams. Generally speaking, landowners with water flowing past, through, or under their property do not automatically have the right to use that water.
Water use is monitored at every governmental level, with states having prime regulatory authority. For example, Oregon’s water laws are based on the principle of prior appropriation. This means the first person to obtain a water right for a stream is the last to be shut off in times of low stream flows. During water shortages, the water-right holder with the oldest date of priority can demand the water specified in the water right regardless of the needs of junior users. If there is a surplus beyond the needs of the senior right holder, the water right holder with the next oldest priority date can take water to satisfy needs under their right and so on down the line until there is no surplus or until all rights are satisfied. For more information regarding water rights see EPA website. www.EPA.gov. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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