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Water quality standards include designated beneficial uses and water quality criteria established to protect the sensitive beneficial uses. For example, the uses most sensitive to dissolved oxygen are fish and aquatic life. Fish and other aquatic organisms need an adequate supply of oxygen in the water to be healthy and productive. In this case, the criteria identify minimal amounts of dissolved oxygen that need to be in the water to protect the fish. In other cases, such as bacteria or some toxic substances, human health is the most sensitive beneficial use. These criteria identify the maximum concentration that may be in the water without risk to aquatic organisms or human health.
The designated uses for each basin may be found in OAR 340-041-0101 through OAR 340-041-0340. Each basin has a designated use rule that shows the uses in tables and maps. Links to each basin’s use rule are provided below. Corresponding tables and maps can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking on the link within the rule. One table identifies all the beneficial uses that are designated within the basin. Additional tables and maps identify categories of fish and aquatic life, shellfish harvesting, and contact recreation, which vary by waterbody. The maps also show where estuarine waters end and freshwater begins in coastal basins.
Oregon Basin Index Map (Figure 1)
Designated Beneficial Uses Tables and Maps by Basin
Main stem Columbia River (OAR 340-041-0101)
Main stem Snake River (OAR 340-041-0121)
Deschutes Basin (OAR 340-041-0130)
Goose and Summer Lakes (OAR 340-041-0140)
Grande Ronde (OAR 340-041-0151)
Hood (OAR 340-041-0160)
John Day (OAR 340-041-0170)
Klamath (OAR 340-041-0180)
Malheur Lake (OAR 340-041-0190)
Malheur River (OAR 340-041-0201)
Mid Coast (OAR 340-041-0220)
North Coast-LWR Columbia (OAR 340-041-0230)
Owyhee (OAR 340-041-0250)
Powder (OAR 340-041-0260)
Rogue (OAR 340-041-0271)
Sandy (OAR 340-041-0286)
South Coast (OAR 340-041-0300)
Umatilla (OAR 340-041-0310)
Umpqua (OAR 340-041-0320)
Walla Walla (OAR 340-041-0330)
Willamette (OAR 340-041-0340)
Debra Sturdevant Water Quality Standards Program Lead 503-229-6691
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