Home › About the Institute › Our History
Our History
For nearly seven decades, the University of California’s Water Resources Center and its successor, the California Institute for Water Resources, have advanced water research, education, and extension throughout California. This timeline highlights the evolution of these institutions and their contributions to water resources research and management.
Image  |
History of the UC Water Resources Center
1956
State Support for Water Research
The California Legislature passed SB 67, allocating $100,000 to the University of California for research and analysis in water resources.
1957
Establishment of the UC Water Resources Center
The University of California established the Water Resources Center as a multi-campus research unit with a budget of $250,000. The Center was created to support training and research related to California water resources and the State Water Project.
1964
California’s Water Resources Research Institute
The WRC was designated as California’s Water Resources Research Institute within the national network established through the Water Resources Research Act. The program was initially administered through the U.S. Department of the Interior and later through the U.S. Geological Survey.
1985
UC Salinity-Drainage Program
The UC Salinity-Drainage Program was assigned to the Water Resources Center, expanding its role in addressing agricultural water quality and drainage challenges.
1988
Prosser Trust
The Prosser Trust endowment, established to promote irrigation efficiency, was assigned to the Water Resources Center.
1996
Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy
The University of California received an endowment gift from Bank of America to establish the Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy.
2009
Transition After the WRC Closure
The Water Resources Center closed due to budget reductions. Its major responsibilities and programs were reassigned so that key functions could continue.
- National Institutes for Water Resources responsibilities were assigned to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- The Prosser Trust was assigned to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- The Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy was assigned to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- The Water Resources Center Archives were transferred to UC Riverside and California State University, San Bernardino.
2010
Water Functions Move to UC ANR
Water Resources Center functions moved to University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources at its Oakland headquarters in the UC Office of the President.
2011
The California Institute for Water Resources Is Founded
The California Institute for Water Resources was founded to replace the Water Resources Center and continue California’s statewide water research, Extension, education, and coordination functions.
- National Institutes for Water Resources responsibilities were assigned to CIWR.
- The UC ANR Strategic Initiative on Water was coordinated with CIWR.
- The Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy was assigned to CIWR.
California Water Resources Archives
The mission of the Archives, located at UC Riverside, is to collect, preserve, and provide access to historical and contemporary water-related materials that support the instructional and research programs of the University of California and the needs of the people of the State.
Established in 1957, the collection is relied upon by the University community as well as government agencies, corporate professionals, and the public.
The WRCA is a research library with more than 134,000 cataloged items. The scope of the collection includes fresh water supply and quality, groundwater, municipal and industrial water uses and problems, flood control, reclamation, waste disposal, river mechanics, coastal engineering, estuaries, water pollution, water law, and water resources development and management.
The Archives collects printed reports, government documents, books, manuscripts, maps, videos, photographs, and electronic resources. The collection concentrates on California and the West, while also including national and international materials. Research supported by the WRC is also housed in the Archives.
134,000+
Cataloged items
Broad Scope
Water supply, quality, groundwater, flood control, law, engineering, and more
Diverse Materials
Reports, books, manuscripts, maps, videos, photographs, and digital resources
California and Beyond
A strong focus on California and the West, with national and international materials
Learn More
WRC Research Projects and Publications
Explore research projects and publications supported by the UC Water Resources Center.
Explore WRC Research Projects →
Institute Directors
Learn about the leaders who have guided the UC Water Resources Center and the California Institute for Water Resources through different periods of institutional growth and transition.
Sixty Years of Water Resources and Extension
Read the interview with emeritus director Doug Parker on The Confluence or listen on the Water Talk podcast.
Explore More About CIWR
Learn about the people, programs, and partnerships that continue CIWR’s work across California.