WATER RIGHTS PERMIT SYSTEM (WRPS): A GIS-BASED TOOL …

WATER RIGHTS PERMIT SYSTEM (WRPS): A GIS-BASED TOOL FOR THE UMPQUA DRAINAGE BASIN

By

Kathy Thompson

A Thesis Presented to the FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE

(GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)

May 2014

Copyright 2014

Kathy J. Thompson

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ......................................................................................................................................v Aknowledgments ...................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures......................................................................................................................... viii List of Abreviations .................................................................................................................. xi Chapter One: Introduction...........................................................................................................1

1.1 Prior Appropriation ...........................................................................................................1 1.2 Effects of Prior Appropriation ...........................................................................................2 1.3 Implementation of GIS ......................................................................................................3 1.4 Umpqua Drainage Basin Study Area .................................................................................5 1.5 Mapping Water Rights.......................................................................................................9 1.6 Motivation.......................................................................................................................11

1.6.1 Water Rights and Land Ownership............................................................................12 1.6.2 Water Rights Transfers .............................................................................................12 1.6.3 Water Rights and Land Use ......................................................................................13 1.6.4 Water Rights and Conflict Resolution .......................................................................13 1.6.5 Water Rights and Regulation ....................................................................................14 1.6.6 Water Rights and Wastefulness.................................................................................14 Chapter Two: Background ........................................................................................................16 2.1 New Mexico....................................................................................................................16 2.2 Nevada ............................................................................................................................18 2.3 Montana ..........................................................................................................................21

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2.4 Wyoming ........................................................................................................................26 2.5 Idaho ...............................................................................................................................28 2.6 Utah ................................................................................................................................32 2.7 Colorado..........................................................................................................................34 2.8 Washington .....................................................................................................................36 2.9 Oregon ............................................................................................................................39 2.10 State Water Rights Research Summary..........................................................................45 Chapter Three: Methodology.....................................................................................................46 3.1 Oregon Water Resource Department................................................................................46 3.2 Research and Feedback....................................................................................................47 3.3 Development of Water Rights Distribution Information...................................................48 3.4 Douglas County GIS........................................................................................................48 3.5 Definition of System for Development ............................................................................49 3.6 Creating the Distribution Maps ........................................................................................50 3.7 Base Features ..................................................................................................................51 3.8 Aerial Images ..................................................................................................................53 3.9 Data development............................................................................................................53 3.10 Creation of Distribution Maps .......................................................................................59 3.11 Distribution on Laptop for Fieldwork ............................................................................61 3.12 Distribution of Information on Water Rights Website ....................................................62 3.13 How the Website Works ................................................................................................63 3.14 Cartographic display......................................................................................................66 3.15 User Satisfaction............................................................................................................69

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3.16 Project Implementation..................................................................................................69 Chapter Four: Results................................................................................................................71

4.1 Advancements Achieved Utilizing GIS............................................................................71 4.2 Problems Resolved with the System ................................................................................72

4.2.1 Aggregation ..............................................................................................................72 4.2.2 Additional Attributes ................................................................................................74 4.2.3 Galesville Contract ...................................................................................................74 4.2.4 Picklist......................................................................................................................75 4.2.5 Cartography..............................................................................................................76 4.3 Problems Created with the System...................................................................................77 4.4 User Feedback and Adjustments ......................................................................................77 Chapter Five: Conclusion ..........................................................................................................79 5.1 Summary of Findings ......................................................................................................79 5.2 Significance of Findings ..................................................................................................81 5.3 Future Research...............................................................................................................82 References ................................................................................................................................84 Appendix: Website Questionaire and Response.........................................................................87

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ABSTRACT The distribution and management of water resources in the Western United States has become a critical issue. Limited and declining sources of water are regulated by legislation. The key regulatory principle is the prior appropriation doctrine that states the senior water rights holders are allowed to use water before any rights granted at a later date. Prior appropriation is significant during dry seasons or low water levels in streams. The regulation of such a system requires a water manager to research the current status and location of each water right and associate it to a parcel and address. Government agencies responsible for regulating water rights in western states have implemented digital mapping and geographic information systems to streamline this process. However, it is necessary to improve the accuracy and availability of the water rights information in digital form to implement an efficient system for compliance investigations during regulation seasons. This study demonstrates the methods utilized to develop an accurate geographic information system in the Umpqua Basin in Oregon to support the Watermaster responsible for regulation through prior appropriation requirements.

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