NWRA Holds Western Water Seminar

This year's NWRA Western Water Seminar in Park City, Utah recently wrapped up with more than 130 registrants, guests, and staff participating in the event. Things kicked off with a tour of the city's Three Kings Water Treatment Plant, followed by a scenic guided hike through the beautiful mountain trails surrounding Park City. With strong participation and valuable discussions, the conference was a great success. We’re already looking ahead to seeing many of you again at our Annual Conference this November in Tucson, Arizona!

The Utah Water Users Association leadership recently outlined the weather, water, reservoir, and fire conditions around the state in its most recent newsletter, pointing out that  around 85% of the state is currently dealing with moderate to severe drought conditions. Executiuve Director, Carly Burton, called attention to the fact that the theme of this year's upcoming September 23 Utah Water Summit Conference is "Our Very Existence Depends on Water". To read the entire newsletter and see details about the event, click here.

North Dakota Waterways Photo Contest Winners Announced

The North Dakota Water group of organizations has announced the winners of its 2025 North Dakota Waterways Photo Contest. Entries were judged on suitability for publication on the front cover, appropriate representation of North Dakota’s water, and photographic creativity, and quality. Photographs must have been taken in North Dakota and water must appear in some form (i.e., snow, rain, ice, lake, river, dew, etc.) in the photograph. There are no specific categories, just one overall winner, three runners-up, and four honorable mention winners that are chosen at the judge’s discretion.  See the list of the winners and details about how you can complete in the 2026 contest here!

OWRF Announces Scholarship Recipients for 2025-2026

The Oregon Water Resources Foundation (OWRF) recently awarded $28,000 in scholarships to six outstanding students pursuing careers related to water and agriculture related fields in the 2025-2026 academic year. See more about the program and the 2025–2026 academic year awardees here.

LaRowe Takes the Reins at MWRA

Mark E. LaRowe has taken on the role of Executive Director of the Montana Water Resources Association. His appointment comes in the wake of the retirement of the association's former long-time Executive Director, Mike Murphy.

A native of a central Wisconsin dairy farming community, Mark is a 1991 graduate from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture - Natural Resource Management. He spent 25 years in the Environmental Remediation and Construction industry serving in several roles ranging from Project Scientist, Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, to General Manager and Senior Client Services Manager.

Mark has extensive experience in project estimation, project implementation, budget and schedule management, client relations and business development. In 2016, Mark left the environmental industry to pursue a passion for photography and now runs an established and successful photography business. Mark resides in the Helena, MT area where he maintains a photo art gallery and studio. A lover of western lifestyle Mark photographs ranch life, rodeo, skijoring, western landscapes, portraits and weddings.