In 1998, the EPA reported that unnatural river and stream flow is the second greatest threat to water quality in the United States.

As the life-blood of the country, and especially the West, the decisions concerning how waters get diverted or shared are fundamental to the existence of towns, farms, and wildlife. It is essential that steps be taken to insure that short-sighted, incremental, or ignorant water allocations do not destroy some rivers permanently.

The first step in addressing this problem is to recognize that each river and stream needs to have a certain minimum flow. By ensuring minimum flows are left in rivers, we recognize that in order to meet our future water needs, we must provide for the water needs of the river and the wildlife and humans that depend on it. In cases of rivers and streams that are already over tapped, we need to take steps to restore a minimum flow.

This web site offers a variety of tools for improving minimum stream flows in your state, including descriptions of useful legislative strategies, a sample bill, talking points, press links, a fact pack, research, and other background information.