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.
WSWC/ICWP/NWSA Washington, DC Roundtable (virtual)
WSWC Spring 2021 (195th) Meetings
WSWC Fall 2020 (194th) Meetings (held via webinar)
#461 – Weather Station Networks
Position #461 - March 25, 2021 WHEREAS, Western States experience great variability in precipitation, with serious impacts and consequences for water supply planning and management, drought and flood preparedness and response, water rights and water market...
#460_Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations
Position #460 - March 25, 2021 WHEREAS, Western States experience great variability in precipitation, with serious impacts and consequences for the operation of water projects, particularly aging water infrastructure, as well as water supply and emergency planning and...
#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...
Issue #2448 Special Report
Issue #2448 Special Report
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...
Testimony: Clean Water Act §401 State Certifications
On August 16, 2018, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on S. 3303, the Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2018. Chair John Barrasso introduced the bill on July 31, in response to perceived abuses by some States of their...
New Website Design
We are glad to announce our new website design with enhanced features that support easier navigation for our visitors. Please be patient as we continue to update many of our pages. If you face any issues, please contact Adel Abdallah: adelabdallah@wswc.utah.gov
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WIDS Spring Meeting – February 2018
WIDS Spring Meeting – February 2018 WIDS Spring Mtg – February 2018 – Meeting Agenda WIDS Spring Mtg – February 2018 – Meeting Minutes Meeting Summary: The WIDS group discussed the cloud survey results and report. The recent WIMS workshop was reviewed. A WaDE status...
Issue #2448
Issue #2448
(2019, Post) Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims
NARF Registration Page (Link to Event) The Western States Water Council and Native American Rights Fund held their sixteenth biennial Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Reserved Water Rights Claims on August 13-15, 2019. The meetings were held at the Harrah’s...
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
Administrative Assistant
