What is a navigability study?
A navigability study is an in-depth history and geography research project, the purpose of which is to determine if a waterway was navigable at the time of statehood. The Department and the State Land Board must follow state and administrative rules in conducting the study (ORS 274.400 to 274.412 and OAR 141-121-000 through 141-121-040). A major part of conducting a navigability study is to collect as much information as possible about the historical uses and condition of a waterway. Once this is done, the information is made available for public review and comment and analyzed by Department staff to see if it meets the requirements established by the federal courts for a waterway to be considered navigable, that is, publicly owned.
