For the more information about water resources in the National Park Service, please visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/.
Water Resources Division
It is the mighty river that roars forcefully, the babbling brook that murmurs its lullaby, the aquatic life below the surface that we protect, preserve, and manage; because without it life could not endure.
Protecting Water
The Water Resources Division (WRD) is one of eight divisions that make up the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science (NRSS) Directorate of the National Park Service. WRD was established to provide servicewide program management and specialized advice and assistance to parks in the protection and management of natural resources.
The mission of WRD is to provide leadership and senior-level technical, scientific, policy, and resource management expertise in the protection, preservation, and restoration of water resources and water-dependent environments within the National Park System. WRD provides its services directly to parks through a broad range of programs in the areas of fisheries, natural resource condition assessments, information management, hydrology, planning, ocean & coastal resources, wetlands, water quality, and water rights.
The primary focus of WRD is to provide the highest level of technical assistance and advice to parks in addressing their water- and aquatic resource-related issues.
Featured Content
Groundwater Study at Montezuma Well
A recent USGS study of sources and flow paths of groundwater to Montezuma Well gives park managers important data to make better decisions in protecting this unique resource. Learn more...
Hydrographic Statistics
Hydrographic and Clean Water Act impairment statistics are now available for all parks based on the high-resolution National Hydrography Dataset and the latest available state 303(d) impairment lists. Learn more...
Elwha River Update
A contract to remove Glines Canyon and Elwha Dams was awarded in August to Barnard Construction of Bozeman, Montana for a total of $26.9 million. Removal of the dams will begin in September 2011. Significant milestones continue to be reached as we count down the months to the largest dam removal in U.S. history. Learn more...
Ocean & Coastal Park Maps
The Ocean & Coastal Resources Branch has developed two new series of maps. The first depicts park boundaries, coastal bathymetry, and terrestrial and water features. The second describes seafloor habitat in several coastal national parks. A report with statistics on park shoreline length and water acreage is also available. Learn more...
Devil's Hole Pupfish
Although recent surveys suggest that the size of the only native population of the Devil's Hole Pupfish may have begun to recover, the near-term risk of extinction remains high. Learn more...
Colorado River Parks
The National Park Service administers nine parks, recreation areas and monuments along the Colorado River and its key tributaries. It is also the most protected major river corridor in the world. Learn more...
Last Updated: October 15, 2012
