2026 Water in the West Research Conference
555 Salvatierra Walk, Stanford, CA 94305
Join us for the 2026 Water in the West Research Conference at Stanford University, hosted by Water in the West (WitW), a program of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Bill Lane Center for the American West.
This conference will examine issues of critical importance to water resources in the western U.S. and the world at large. Leading faculty and researchers from Stanford and other universities across the West will present innovative research on water equity and affordability, environmental protection, sustainable urban water systems, effective groundwater management, water information systems, interjurisdictional water governance, Native American water rights, adaptation to climate change and droughts, and other major water challenges. In addition to highlighting current research, the conference will include a roundtable discussion of new and cutting edge research topics. The conference will provide the western water community with an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas on critical topics, showcase emerging research, and map future research projects. We hope you will join us at Stanford on March 17 and 18.