Federal water law in the United States focuses mainly on water quality - issues of pollution, environmental protection, sanitation, and the like. With the exception of certain public lands and Native American reservations, water distribution and usage rights are generally left to state and local governments, although the federal courts will become involved in interstate water disputes. This guide will introduce researchers to the most important federal water laws and regulations and provide guidance in locating additional research materials.
Useful beginners' guides to U.S. water law can be found at the Library of Congress' "An Introduction to Water Law" and the Georgetown University Law Library's Water Law Research Guide.