The Water Resources Division strives to conserve, protect, and restore water resources in America's national parks. WRD provides assistance, expertise, and guidance to parks, regions and the national office within eight program areas: Fish & Aquatic Invasive Species, Groundwater, Information Management, Ocean & Coastal Resources, Rivers (including Wild & Scenic Rivers),Water Quality, Water Rights, and Wetlands.
What We Do
The Water Resources Division was established to provide science to parks for the protection and management of water and aquatic resources.
Fish Program
The Fish Program provides technical assistance and policy guidance in managing and restoring native fish and their habitats in parks.
Groundwater Program
The Groundwater Program works to protect groundwater resources and groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
Information Management
The Information Management Program supports parks in analysis and archiving of hydrologic data.
Ocean and Coastal Resources
The Ocean and Coastal Resources Program works to advance ocean and Great Lakes stewardship in the National Park System.
Water Rights
The National Park Service seeks to protect and conserve surface waters and groundwaters in parks as integral components of ecosystems.
Water Quality
The Water Quality Program coordinates aspects of water quality protection in the National Park System.
Wetlands Program
The Wetlands Program provides expertise for protection and management of over 20 million acres of NPS wetlands.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Program
The Wild and Scenic River Program aims to protect and enhance river resources under the National wild and Scenic River Act.
Last updated: March 10, 2025