Registration is Open!
Make plans to join us for the AWRA-WA Annual State Section Conference.
Theme: The Future is Now: How the emerging issues of the recent past have come to define our water-scarce present.
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (program); 5:00 - 6:30 PM (networking reception)
Location: Mountaineers Seattle Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
Description: A quarter of the way through the twenty-first century, we find ourselves in a changed landscape of water resource management in Washington. Widespread difficulty obtaining new water supplies to support population growth inhibits sustainable and affordable development. New competing demands for water to support clean energy development, data centers, and other emergent technologies are stressing existing water supplies and suppliers even further. Meanwhile, four consecutive years of snowpack drought have fundamentally revised our expectations of future water supply availability. And the increasing occurrence and severity of acute weather events (such as heat domes and atmospheric rivers) have unbalanced the historical hydrograph away from periods of peak demand.
The 2026 AWRA-WA State Conference will bring together water professionals, policymakers, engineers, scientists, lawyers, students, and regulators to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead through thought-provoking sessions and candid discussions.
Session Topics:
- Challenges of Washington’s New Climate Reality - Washington's water landscape is changing rapidly. Warmer temperatures, shifting hydrology, changing runoff patterns, and more frequent extremes are challenging long-held assumptions about water management. This session will explore how these changes are affecting water supply, infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities, and what they mean for planning, policy, and decision-making in the decades ahead.
- 2025 Yakima Retrospective - What can the Yakima Basin teach us about managing water under pressure? This session will look back on the 2025 water year, examining hydrologic conditions, operational decisions, stakeholder coordination, and challenges faced in the basin. Panelists will reflect on key lessons learned and discuss how those experiences may inform future water management in the region.
- Emerging water demands - Washington's water needs are evolving. Population growth, new industries, changing agricultural practices, environmental restoration, and emerging technologies are placing new demands on finite water resources. This session will examine where demand is growing, how these competing needs are reshaping the future of water management.
- New technologies and methods for managing water supply and demand - Innovation is transforming the way we understand and manage water. From improved forecasting and monitoring to advanced modeling, data analytics, conservation tools, and operational strategies, new technologies are expanding what's possible for water managers. This session will highlight practical applications that are improving decision-making, increasing efficiency, and helping communities adapt to changing conditions.
- Future of drought in Washington - Drought is no longer an occasional challenge—it is becoming an increasingly important consideration for long-term water management in Washington. This session will explore emerging research on drought trends, discuss how drought planning is evolving, and examine the policies, partnerships, and management approaches needed to build resilience in an increasingly uncertain future.
Why Attend?
- Hear from leading experts and decision-makers shaping Washington's water future.
- Engage in open conversations to learn from past efforts and shape smarter strategies moving forward.
- Gain actionable insights and strategies for navigating uncertainty and change.
- Expand your network with water resource professionals from across the state.
- Your registration includes a 2027 AWRA-WA membership and directly supports chapter events, student fellowship program, and this conference.
New ideas, new voices, and diverse expertise are essential right now. Whether you’re just entering the industry or bringing years of expertise, be part of the conversations shaping the future of water management in Washington State.
Registration, speakers, and session details are coming soon.
Download a PDF of the conference flyer and share across your network!
Thank You to AWRA-WA Sponsors!
Basin Sponsors
Watershed Sponsors
Stream Sponsors
