To address water issues at the State and regional level, the Water Resources Research Act of 1964, as amended in 1984 (Water Resources Research Act of 1984; Public Law 88–379, Stat. 78), established institutes in each State and territory to:
Today, 54 WRRA Program Institutes based at our Nation’s universities and colleges provide water-related services in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Collectively, the institutes are organized as the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR). A volunteer-led organization, the NIWR network facilitates coordination and interaction between the institutes and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) who is responsible for administering WRRA funding. NIWR can attract and match non-federal funds to maximize the federal investment in local water research projects and supports the core capabilities of research, outreach and engagement, and education and training.
