Whether you're trying to understand them, trying to get them, or trying to find them, water rights are complicated. The good news? Our Water Resources Program just made finding existing water rights a little easier thanks to a new, interactive water rights web map.
With the new web map, users can check to see if there are water rights associated with properties they own or may be interested in buying. They can also check water availability and water limitations such as sub-basin closures or instream flow rules.
The web map allows users to search by address, parcel number, or water right document numbers. There are options for searching portions of the map or specific rivers and watersheds. Maps can also be bookmarked and saved for later or printed.
The maps display places of use, water bodies, the type of water rights associated with a property, and “water device points” such as wells, dams, and pumps. The Water Resources Web Map is a replacement for the current Water Resources Tracking System map search tool. It has several improvements including:
- New filters to sort out visible water right places of use.
- Expanded layer options and tools.
- Ability to generate a printable map for easy communication.
- Municipal Places of Use and Large Places of use moved into a separate layer for easy viewing.
- Easy quick search bar (Search by City, County, WRIA, Address and even by Water Right Document Number).
Developers spent months getting the web map ready for use, and they’re excited for water right applicants to give it a try.
“The web map gives users the ability to interact with water right data across the state with just a few clicks," says Taylor Braden, lead developer of the new web map. "This will give potential applicants easy access to information that will help them fill out their forms.”
Give it a try or learn more by visiting our Water Resources Web Map. You can also watch the instructional video to learn how to use it.