External Resources on Water
U.S. Government
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Weather Service
The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy.
- National Park Service
Most people know that the National Park Service cares for national parks, a network of nearly 400 natural, cultural and recreational sites across the nation.
- Natural Resources Conservation Center
To lead the development and transfer of water and climate information and technology which support natural resource conservation. A source of water supply data for the Western United States.
- National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
This site is EPA’s premier site for accessing EPA publications, with more than 7,000 in stock and 27,000 digital titles, free of charge! EPA’s print publications are available through the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP), and EPA’s digital publications are stored in the National Environmental Publications Internet Site (NEPIS) database! You can search and retrieve, download, print and/or order only EPA publications from this site.
- National Water Information System: Web Interface. USGS Real-Time Water Data for the Nation
These pages provide access to water-resources data collected at approximately 1.5 million sites in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Online access to this data is organized around the categories listed to the left.
- National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
These living landscapes are uniquely managed to protect the public’s enjoyment of these heritage resources for present and future generations. The managing agencies also try to accommodate and reflect community and landowner interests. Every designation preserves a sliver of traditional American experiences that are important to local communities, such as fishing and boating, or wading in waters our nation’s forefathers would have recognized and enjoyed.
- Synopsis of the Law of the Colorado River
The Colorado River is managed and operated under numerous compacts, federal laws, court decisions and decrees, contracts, and regulatory guidelines collectively known as the “Law of the River.”
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
is made up of approximately 34,600 Civilian and 650 military members. Our military and civilian engineers, scientists and other specialists work hand in hand as leaders in engineering and environmental matters.
- U.S.D.A., Natural Resources Conservation Service
To lead the development and transfer of water and climate information and technology which support natural resource conservation. A source of water supply data for the Western United States.
- U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation
Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is best known for the dams, powerplants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is to protect human health and the environment.
- United States Geologic Survey
The Water Resources Discipline is one of four science disciplines of the USGS. The WRD mission is to provide reliable, impartial, timely information that is needed to understand the Nation’s water resources.
- U.S.G.S. National Water Quality Assessment Program
The National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) provides an understanding of water-quality conditions and how those conditions may vary locally, regionally, and nationally; whether conditions are getting better or worse over time; and how natural features and human activities affect those conditions.
- Water 2025 – Providing Water for the West
The American West is facing a serious crisis. In the long run, we will not have enough water to meet the fast-growing needs of city residents, farmers, ranchers, Native Americans, and wildlife. The demand is increasing; the supply is not. It is time for Americans to become proactive in our efforts to resolve the problem. Crisis management is not a long-term solution.To accomplish our goal, the Department of the Interior launched Water 2025 – a problem-solving initiative that will help manage scarce water resources, and…
- Water Quality Monitoring at Lake Mead, Arizona and Nevada
Lake Mead on the Colorado River is one of the most intensely used reservoirs in the western United States, providing recreational watercraft activities and domestic drinking, industrial, and irrigation water for over 22 million users…
Western-Water. Our site mission is to provide practical information and tools that you can use, such as water right forms, latest news and opinion blurbs, online water flow and quantity calculators, and access to our Decree and Adjudication archives.
State Government
- Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR)
ADWR works to secure long-term dependable water supplies for Arizona's communities.
- Arkansaswater.org
Our goal is to be a "one-stop" sources of Arkansas water quality information -- a place where all Arkansans -- individuals, agencies and organizations -- can share information and learn from each other so that we all can become better stewards of our water resources.
- California Department of Water Resources
To manage the water resources of California in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the State's people, and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.
- Idaho Department of Water Resources
The Idaho Department of Water Resources is headed by a director appointed by the governor. The agency is divided into three operating divisions, each headed by an administrator. Each division then has bureaus, sections or teams organized around specific areas of responsibility.
- Kansas Department of Agriculture – Water Appropriations
The Water Appropriation program administers the Kansas Water Appropriation Act and rules and regulations pertaining to the management of water resources. This program issues permits to appropriate water, regulates water use and maintains records of all water rights in the state.
- Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resource
Improve and protect Minnesota’s water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners.
- Missouri Water Environment Association
The Missouri Water Environment Association is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and improving the quality of Missouri's water environment by providing a forum for education and the exchange of information, promoting sound environmental policy and building alliances among all persons interested in the water environment.
- Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Water Resources Division
The Water Resources Division promotes and coordinates the wise use and conservation of Montana’s water resources for current and future generations.
- Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
The goal of the Water Quality Division is to protect the surface and groundwater resources in Nebraska.
- Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR)
The mission of the Nevada Division of Water Resources (NDWR) is to conserve, protect, manage and enhance the State’s water resources for Nevada’s citizens through the appropriation and reallocation of the public waters.
- New Mexico Environment Department
The Department’s mission is to provide the highest quality of life throughout the state by promoting a safe, clean and productive environment.
- North Dakota State Water Commission
The primary responsibility of the North Dakota State Water Commission is to provide effective management of North Dakota’s water resources
- Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division
The primary function of WQD is to maintain clean water for Oklahoma by regulating facilities that produce and distribute public drinking water and that treat, transport, store, and discharge wastewater.
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a regulatory agency whose job is to protect the quality of Oregon’s environment.
- South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The mission of DENR is to protect public health and the environment by providing environmental monitoring and natural resource assessment, technical and financial assistance for environmental projects, and environmental regulatory services.
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality strives to protect our state’s human and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. Our goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.
- Utah Division of Water Quality
Goal is to maintain and enhance the quality of Utah’s surface and underground waters for appropriate beneficial uses; and to protect the public health through eliminating and preventing water related health hazards which can occur as a result of improper disposal of human, animal or industrial wastes while giving reasonable consideration to the economic impact.
- Washington Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program
The goals of the water quality program are to prevent and clean up water pollution and to help communities make sustainable choices that reduce and prevent water quality problems.
- Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
DEQ contributes to Wyoming’s quality of life through a combination of monitoring, permitting, inspection, enforcement and restoration/remediation activities which protect, conserve and enhance the environment while supporting responsible stewardship of our state’s resources
Non-profit
- American Rivers Organization
Is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of North America’s rivers.
- American Water Resources Association
Founded in 1964, the American Water Resources Association is a non-profit professional association dedicated to the advancement of men and women in water resources management, research, and education.
- Colorado Water Resources Research Institute
The Colorado Water Resources Research Institute (CWRRI), an affiliate of Colorado State University, exists for the express purpose of focusing the water expertise of higher education on the evolving water concerns and problems being faced by Colorado citizens.
- Environmental Defense Fund
An Uncommon Approach: Four Core Strategies. Founded in 1967 as the Environmental Defense Fund, we tackle the most serious environmental problems with…
- Global Water Partnership
The Global Water Partnership is a working partnership among all those involved in water management: government agencies, public institutions, private companies, professional organizations, multilateral development agencies and others committed to the Dublin-Rio principles.
- International Rivers Network
International Rivers’ mission is to protect rivers and defend the rights of communities that depend on them. We oppose destructive dams and the development model they advance, and encourage better ways of meeting people’s needs for water, energy and protection from damaging floods.
- Lower Colorado River Authority
LCRA plays a variety of roles in Central Texas: delivering electricity, managing the water supply and environment of the lower Colorado River basin, developing water and wastewater utilities, providing public recreation areas, and supporting community and economic development.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers for marine science research, graduate training, and public service in the world.
- Stormwater News
StormwaterAuthority is a place where specifying engineers, contractors, developers, site owners and regulators can learn and share information…
- Urban Rivers Awareness
The Academy of Natural Sciences was founded in 1812 to expand knowledge of the natural world. More than fifty years ago, long before water pollution was really understood, Academy researchers pioneered studies to see what was happening in rivers and streams as cities, farms, and industries grew. Today, they remain at the cutting edge of aquatic research and are renowned for their focus on how human activities impact the environment.
- Urban Water Works
We envision a world where water is valued as a unifying biological and cultural resource that connects all living beings and transcends political and economic interests. We foster artistic, scientific and empowering solutions to the pollution and degradation of water resources; create a citywide network of community-based projects that make water visible and integrated into our lives and neighborhoods, and foster a diversity of partnerships with local communities and encourage collaboration across artistic and scientific disciplines.
- World’s Water
A site dedicated to providing water information, data, and resources to individuals, organizations, and institutions working on solutions to a wide range of global freshwater problems…
University/Education
- Colorado Water Resources Research Institute
The Colorado Water Resources Research Institute (CWRRI), an affiliate of Colorado State University, exists for the express purpose of focusing the water expertise of higher education on the evolving water concerns and problems being faced by Colorado citizens.
- Iowa Water Center
The Iowa Water Center is a part of a nationwide network of university-based water centers authorized by the 1964 federal Water Resources Act which called for the creation of state water resources institutes to be located at land grant colleges.
- Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute
The Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute is federally mandated to perform a statewide function of promoting research, education and services in water resources. To support these activities, the federal government provides annual funding for research grants and to administer the grant program. The Institute also receives state funding, partially as a match for the federal funding.
- National Institutes for Water Resources
The National Institutes for Water Resources, Inc. (NIWR) is a 501©4 organization. It represents the fifty-four state and territorial Water Research Institutes and Centers in collective activities to implement the provisions of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, (Public Law 98-242) and subsequent federal legislation which amends or supersedes this Act.
- New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute
The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), authorized by the 1964 Water Resources Act, was formed in 1963 and was one of the first institutes approved in the US. The New Mexico Institute is one of 54 institutes/centers in the U.S. and possessions and a member of the National Institutes for Water Resources and the Powell Consortium .
- Oregon State University, Oregon Explorer
Over the last 30 years, Oregonians have begun heroic efforts to restore damaged watersheds. Today, Oregonians are finding ways to make restoration, not only viable economically, but a force for positive change in their world.
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers for marine science research, graduate training, and public service in the world.
- University of Minnesota Water Resources Center
The WRC works to help coordinate public engagement and research within the University, enabling more effective delivery of research to decision-makers and citizens; opening new avenues for multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary partnerships.
- Water Librarian’s Home Page
This page contains links to resources that I find useful in my work as a librarian in a California water agency. I hope others in similar institutions will find them useful, too.
International
- International Joint Commission, Canada & United States
Many rivers and some of the largest lakes in the world lie along, or flow across, the border between the United States and Canada. The International Joint Commission assists governments in finding solutions to problems in these waters.
- International Water Association
To create and foster a global network of leading-edge water professionals through the provision of services and products to members, including conferences, publications and support for member groups. In addition, to represent the views of members in international forums and to project key messages to the sector at large, aimed at advancing best practice in sustainable water management.
- International Water Law Project
Created and directed by Gabriel Eckstein, the mission of the International Water Law Project (IWLP) is to serve as the premier resource on the Internet for international water law and policy issues.
- International Water Management Institution
IWMI is one of 15 international research centers supported by the network of 60 governments, private foundations and international and regional organizations collectively known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It is a non-profit organization with a staff of 350 and offices in over 10 countries across Asia and Africa and Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre
Bridging the knowledge gap and joint learning with partners for improved, low-cost water supply, sanitation and hygiene in developing countries.
- Stockholm International Water Institute
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that seeks sustainable solutions to the world’s escalating water crisis.
- U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission
Our mission is to provide bi-national solutions to issues that arise during the application of United States - Mexico treaties regarding boundary demarcation, national ownership of waters, sanitation, water quality, and flood control in the border region.
