The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) is charged with administering the laws governing the management and distribution of Oregon’s surface and groundwater resources. OWRD protects existing water rights, processes water right transactions, facilitates voluntary streamflow restoration, increases understanding of demands on the state’s water resources, provides accurate and accessible water resource data and facilitates water supply solutions. The department also protects public health and safety through its dam safety and well construction programs.

Department headquarters and the Northwest Regional office are both located in Salem. The department also has six other regional offices and 24 small field offices throughout Oregon.​