COVID-19 Webinar Series: The Value of Water Rights : Know What You’re Selling or Buying

In the seventh COVID-19 webinar, Laura Schroeder and Catherine Hansford explained the basic steps in determining the value of water rights. The webinar aired originally on May 27, 2020 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. You can view the webinar here!

First, participants learn the different water right components that might either add value to your home, farm, commercial operation, or provide separate value if severed to transfer for a different use. Secondly, the presentation will explain what assessors use to gauge the value of water rights, the most desirable kinds of water rights, and water markets. Further, the webinar covers both the law and economics of water right sales and transfers. Generally, topics will include:

Real Estate Components and Value of Water Rights
- Surface Water vs Groundwater Sales
- How elements of a water right determine value
The “Legal” Value of Water Use Types
- Compare exempt uses, permits, certificates, and decreed rights and water use in “closed” basins
Valuation of Water Rights
- “Assessments” of the value of water rights
Water Markets
- The issues with developing water markets
- Discussion of the Deschutes Groundwater Mitigation Program
- Concurrency laws and water banking

Afterwards, we posted all our webinars in the COVID-19 Series here, giving you access to Schroeder Law Office’s educational events under the “social distancing” orders! Additionally, the COVID-19 Webinar series continued over several weeks. These webinars covered topics related to water management organizations and livestock water rights on public lands. Stay tuned to our blog for announcements for information about the next webinars or watch the webinars later on our website. If you have any issues with viewing the webinars, please contact Scott Borison at: scott@water-law.com.