ORS 450.700: Acquisition of water rights; effect on prior rights.

(1) A water authority may acquire water rights from any city or any district, as defined in ORS 543.655. Upon request by the authority, the Water Resources Commission shall issue a new water right certificate to the water authority preserving the previously established priority of water rights.

      (2) Upon compliance with ORS 540.520 and 540.530, a water authority may change the points of diversion of water or move the water intake sources as specified in the water right permits of those districts that were merged into the authority. Upon the filing of notice of such changes with the Water Resources Department, the changes shall not impair any water right previously vested in those districts.