Shared Water: Law, Access, and Management
Friday, May 15, 2026
The 26th Annual Symposium will be held at the Pokagon Band Community Center in Dowagiac, Michigan. This year’s program focuses on how water is shared, governed, and managed across the St. Joseph River Basin.
Regsister for the Symposium here.
The day will begin 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.
Afternoon sessions will include 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 will bring these perspectives together, with conversation focused on water rights, access, and governance in Michiana.
The program will conclude with a discussion of how water is managed in practice, highlighting local initiatives, challenges, and opportunities for making an impact across the watershed.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early or stay after the program to enjoy nearby trails at Rudolphi Woods. The Symposium will be followed by a Watershed Celebration hosted by the Friends of the St. Joe River Association. Separate registration is required. More information and registration are available here.