Gary Harrington

Oregon man who was sentenced to 30 days in jail for harvesting rainwater on his property.

• Harrington constructed three large reservoirs (dams up to 20 feet high) to collect rainwater and snowmelt. He claimed the water was for personal use, wildfire suppression, and wildlife.
• Under a 1925 Oregon law, all water is considered a public resource. Specifically, the Medford Water Commission holds exclusive rights to the water in Big Butte Creek and its tributaries.
• Authorities argued Harrington’s dams diverted water that would have otherwise flowed into Crowfoot Creek, a tributary of the city’s water supply. He was convicted on nine misdemeanor counts of unauthorized use of water.