This retrospective serves as the first United States-Dutch comparative account of water management history. It covers the development and practices of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat. Despite their physical-geographical and size differences, the United States and the Netherlands experienced water resources challenges that created the need for strong central water resources management with the capabilities to design and maintain large scale projects. Two hundred years of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) history is examined by focusing on four distinct phases. Key events, decisions, and activities are contextualized with political, social, economic, and environmental factors that helped shape the water resources practices observed today. 

This retrospective shows the growing role of the federal government in water management and the changing scope of the USACE as the Nation’s needs evolved over time. The organization grew alongside the American economy and industry that required sophisticated solutions to navigation problems in major waterways. This history and expertise has produced technical solutions for various water issues and produced a world-class collection of individuals from different fields. The mission of the USACE continues to evolve as the United States faces new issues. 

The goal of this historical analysis is to assist water resources managers, policymakers, and planners when considering current and future water resources decisions and improve water management.

Two Centuries of Experience in Water Resources Management; One History of Water Management in the United States

Created in 1999, the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) is the recognized leader within ASCE for the integration of technical expertise and public policy in the planning, design, construction, and operation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure impacting air, land and water resources.

[Paper Proceedings](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483466)

Conference DOI: https://doi.org/10.26226/m.6329c39b68fb0e00131f77d2