Shared Water: Law, Access, and Management
Friday, May 15, 2026
The 26th Annual Symposium was held at the Pokagon Band Community Center in Dowagiac, Michigan. This program focused on how water is shared, governed, and managed across the St. Joseph River Basin.
Regsister for the Symposium here.
The day began with an overview of the watershed as a connected system and the role of coordinated management across state and local boundaries, followed by lunch provided by Bneshi Mijem, featuring dishes with cultural significance to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Full menu available here.
Afternoon sessions included presentations on riparian law in Michigan and Indiana, highlighting how each state’s legal framework shapes water use and access within the basin. A facilitated discussion brought these perspectives together, with conversation focused on water rights, access, and governance in Michiana.
The program concluded with a discussion of how water is managed in practice, highlighting local initiatives, challenges, and opportunities for making an impact across the watershed.
Attendees were encouraged to arrive early or stay after the program to enjoy nearby trails at Rudolphi Woods. The Symposium was followed by a Watershed Celebration hosted by the Friends of the St. Joe River Association. Separate registration was required. More information and registration are available here.