Western States Water Council
A Voice for Water in the West since 1965
What We Do
Our mission is to ensure that the West has an adequate, secure, and sustainable supply of water of suitable quality to meet its diverse economic and environmental needs now and in the future.
Western Water Policy Positions
Raise water as a critical public policy priority. Policy positions are vetted with the governors, adopted by the Council, and promoted on behalf of Western States.
Weekly Newsletter
Report and curate state and federal news on water-related issues, as well as other activities and events.
Federal Reserved Tribal and Non-Tribal Water Rights
Support authorization and funding of negotiated settlements between tribes, states, and federal agencies to resolved unquantified tribal and non-tribal water claims.
Water Infrastructure
Recognize and promote active asset management, including consistent funding to address aging infrastructure challenges, future water supply, and water and wastewater treatment needs.
Sharing of State-Level Water Data
Develop and grow the Water Data Exchange (WaDE) Program that streamlines access to water rights and water use data, water quality and other water related databases.
Enhance State and Federal Relationships and Encourage Collaboration
Serve as a forum for Interstate and State/Federal dialogue and action on emerging and ongoing water issues with our Western States Federal Agency Support Team (WestFAST).
Water Quality-Quantity Nexus
Recognize and promote efforts to better manage and balance the interrelationships between the development and allocation of water resources, wastewater treatment, and water quality.
Water-Related Observing Systems and Data
Support the maintenance and expansion of critical observing systems and promote innovation related to the monitoring and reporting of water-related parameters.
2024 WSWC Spring (203rd) Meetings and Washington Roundtable
New Mexico Integrated Water Financing Plan: Introductory Webinar
WSWC 2023 Fall Meetings
#459 – Probable Maximum Precipitation Standards
Position #459 - March 25, 2021 WHEREAS, National Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) standards for extreme rainfall have long been used for the design and regulation of infrastructure including dams, roads and bridges, as well as thermal power facilities; and are...
#458 – Outlining Actions Federal Agencies Should Take to Expedite State General Stream Adjudications
Position #458 – October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, the western states use general stream adjudications to determine and document relative water rights within basins, including rights to waters claimed by the United States under either state or federal law; and WHEREAS, general...
#457 – Supporting the Dividing the Waters Program for Judges (Past Position, see #467)
Position #457 - October 15, 2020 WHEREAS, the Dividing the Waters Program of the National Judicial College has served western judges overseeing complex water litigation for more than 20 years, providing information and training resources on water law and water...
Issue #2496
To view and download the newsletter, click the link below: Issue #2496
Letters supporting OpenET and other USGS water resources programs
On July 7, 2020, the WSWC wrote to the leadership of the House Appropriations Committee, and on September 3, 2020, sent a similar letter to the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The letters express strong support for USGS water resources programs, and...
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Topical Resources
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Report on the Availability of Aggregated Water Use Data in Selected Western States
Download (coming soon) This report: (1) summarizes the availability of data for aggregated or summary water use data in the Colorado River Basin States that is available through WaDE; (2) identifies gaps within the currently available water data and improvements that...
(2014, Post) Remote Sensing Applications Workshop
Remote Sensing Applications Workshop (Link to Event) The Council and NASA organized a workshop that was held on August 25-27, 2014 at the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California, to exchange information about opportunities and challenges associated with use of...
The Western States Water Council is the preeminent water policy organization in the western U.S. representing as it does 18 western states. From influential positions on federal rules and legislation to support of Landsat missions intended to acquire important water use information, the Council serves it member states like no other entity. My 18-year membership with the Council is one of the most memorable experiences of my service as Wyoming State Engineer.
I find the Council to be a provocative forum to discuss how State water supply and water quality program should interact. Western perspectives highlight the unique and confounding aspects of managing water quality in ways that defy uniform application of the Clean Water Act. And there may be no greater champion of the importance of water data programs of the USGS and NRCS than the WSWC.
The Western States Water Council is recognized as a national leader in developing and influencing national and western water policy, while serving as the water arm for the Western Governors’ Association. The Council provides an excellent forum for states and federal agencies to discuss water issues of mutual interest. I know that my time on the Council certainly enhanced my ability as a leader on state water issues.
Contact Us
Western States Water Council Office
682 East Vine Street, Suite 7
Murray, UT 84107-5501
(801) 685-2555
(801) 685-2559 (fax)
jgroat@wswc.utah.gov
Julie Groat
Office Manager