The Expanding Institutional Context for Water Resources Management: The Case of the Grand River Watershed

Abstract

The context in which water resources management operates continues to expand as governance regimes are recognized as polycentric in structure and institutions are more broadly interpreted. This paper explores the “expanded” institutional context for water resources management. Institutions of water resources management in Ontario are presented and a chronology of management in the Grand River watershed is detailed to illustrate the breadth and depth of institutions in practice. Examining the institutional context of the Grand River watershed confirms the shift in governance, affirms the merits of broadly understanding institutions and recognizes their polycentric nature. The article closes by considering the implications to the nested-basin approach of water resources management.