James E. Stafford
Hydrology/Climatology Specialist
(307) 766-2286 Ext. 252
james.stafford@wyo.gov
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Wyoming's Interstate Water Law
Before Wyoming became a state, when settlers first moved to the west,
water rights were established. When water users disagree about how much water
each one is entitled to a court or judge decides which is in the right, or how
much water each party is allowed to use. The involuntary water agreements that
result are called court decrees. They contain the same information as a compact
but are not the result of negotiation of water users but the decree of a judge
or judges. Wyoming has three court decrees that manage interstate water use.
These decrees only deal with bordering states by circumstance not definition. Click here for more information
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Major Rivers of Wyoming
Large rivers in Wyoming are few and far between, but they are integral to the
state’s agricultural, industrial, and rural communities. Most Wyomingites live
within close proximity of a major river. These major rivers are primarily driven
by seasonal snowmelt and peak in late May and early June. The wide deviation in
stream flow season to season makes storage a key component of water use. Click here for more information
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