CRS Issue Statement on Water Resources

Nicole T. Carter, Coordinator
Specialist in Natural Resources Policy

The federal government has a long history of involvement in water resource development and management to facilitate water-borne transportation, expand irrigated agriculture, reduce flood and drought losses, and more recently to restore and protect wetlands and aquatic ecosystems. Increasing pressures on the quality and quantity of freshwater supplies have resulted in heightened local and regional water use conflicts. Pressures include population growth, in-stream species and ecosystem needs, water source contamination, agricultural water demand, climate change and variability, Indian water rights claims, and recreational uses. 

Water resources infrastructure includes locks, dams, levees, channels, breakwaters, hydropower facilities, canals, and related structures. A system of shared responsibilities for this infrastructure has evolved, with programs existing at all levels of government and in the private sector.


Date of Report: January 15, 2010
Number of Pages: 4
Order Number: IS40407
Price: $7.95

Document available electronically as a pdf file or in paper form.
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