Management and organizational characteristics of 51 water centers established under the Water Resources Act of 1964 are presented. Areas discussed included the level and source of funding, interuniversity organizational arrangements, personnel characteristics, areas of research, training emphasis, research accomplishments, and attitudes held toward the water center by administrative personnel. A statistical analysis is made of the relationship between organizational and management characteristics and accomplishments of the water centers. Recommendations are made dealing with funding, cooperation, planning, program development, career incentives, and integration of a water center into the university structure.