This paper examines the water resources category of the public works infrastructure and focuses on facilities having the general characteristics of high fixed costs, strong links to economic development, long service life, interaction with other parts of a system, and public ownership. The scope of study covers the review of past major water resources studies; analysis of current issues, with an emphasis on evaluation of needs; and identification of policy options for consideration by the National Council on Public Works Improvement. In this study, water resources does not include water supply or wastewater treatment facilities because they are subjects of separate evaluations. The topic of groundwater, which is an issue of concern in the water resources, water supply, and wastewater categories of public works infrastructure is also discusses. The study's findings identified a central theme: water resources programs have matured, and their focus is changing from development to operating and maintaining existing facilities, while responsibilities are simultaneously shifting from the Federal to non-Federal sectors to fund, operate, innovate, and manage on a proportionately larger basis. The paper describes how these shifts in emphasis and responsibility necessitate adjustment of institutions and approaches.