Landowner Checklist

The purpose of this checklist is to provide the water right holder with key pieces of information to better determine the quantity of water associated with that particular water right that is currently valid. All of this information will help a water right holder prove to the Washington Department of Ecology that their water right is still valid. Regardless of whether or not you want to sell your water rights to the Cities of Olympia, Lacey or Yelm, maintaining records regarding your water right use and history is always a good idea. Below are some key ways to document your water right use history. WestWater will ask for this type of information from landowners who may be interested in selling their water right.

1. Power Records - If you operate a pump to divert water either from the ground or from a water body, the power records can be calculated to determine the quantity of water you diverted in a given year. The amount diverted in a given year can be compared to the amount of water allowed under your water right certificate and can prove to the Department of Ecology whether or not you are using your water right. Keeping power records at least for the last five years is a good idea to prove that you are using your water right.
2. Crop Records - If your water right is for irrigation, it is always good to keep your crop records on file. Not only do crop records show that an irrigated crop was cultivated in a specific year, but it also shows the yields associated with the acreage and can give a rough estimate as to how many acres were irrigated in that particular year.
3. Photographs - While photos can not determine the quantity of water used on your property, they can prove that water was used. This is the first step in determining validity associated with a water right. This may be especially important for water right holders who do not have pumps to show water diversion quantities and who irrigate through gravity-fed irrigation systems.
4. Affidavits - If you leased your water right and farmland, it is always a good idea to get the farmer who leases your ground to write out an affidavit claiming that they used the water right during that irrigation season, how they irrigated, when they started irrigating and when they stopped irrigating for the season. The more details that you or the lessee can provide for your records, the better chance you have of proving that you used your water right.

Keeping detailed records of water use on your property is vital to maintaining the use of your water right. If your water right use ever comes into question, it is up to the landowner to prove to the state that your water right is valid. With the documentation listed above, you have a better chance of proving the use of your water right. WestWater staff can help you determine how much water you have. Please understand that your information is kept confidential and we will sign a confidentiality agreement with you if necessary. Please contact Ryland Moore by calling 360-695-5233 with any questions you may have about this program.