Theses and Dissertations Collection

All states west of the one hundredth meridian have decided to adopt prior appropriation as a means by which to organize and manage their hydrologic systems. The structure of prior appropriation imposes certain biases toward resource development that have catalyzed changing cultural expectation of water resource management over time. In particular, instream flow laws have been implemented in response to the degradation of salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Through a comparative case study of instream flow laws in Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska, this study seeks to understand what elements of institutional structure effectively achieve pacific salmon conservation objectives. To better understand the impacts of water management institutions as they evolve, my study employs a modified version of grounded theory that incorporates a state water rights database analysis and a series of expert interviews. Through the use of this methodology, I have concluded that a nested governance regime that incorporates flexibility, collaboration, and consensus leads to institutions that effectively achieve salmon conservation objectives. Furthermore, this study has identified institutional evolution of prior appropriation as a cyclical and iterative process based on the relationship between specific local entities, administrators, and legislators.