Snake River Headwaters Watershed Group
Teton County, WY and Teton County, ID
In response to growing concerns around water quality, flow regulation, habitat loss, and climate change, a 2022 task force led by LegacyWorks Group evolved into the Snake River Headwaters Watershed Group (SRHWG) by late 2023. Today, SRHWG is a cross-sector network of over 100 organizations and 250 individuals—including agencies, nonprofits, ranchers, irrigators, scientists, and community members—working to build long-term watershed resilience.
A 15-member steering committee, structured to ensure diverse representation, guides the group’s priorities. LegacyWorks led SRHWG’s early design, facilitating strategy workshops, forming the committee, and launching four community-driven working groups: Water Management & Flow, Data & Monitoring, Ecosystems, and Outreach & Engagement.
These groups meet quarterly to identify emerging issues, shape projects, and recommend focus areas. LegacyWorks continues to support coordination, logistics, and alignment across efforts. Seasonal convenings feature expert speakers, field trips, and collaborative dialogue. Ongoing outreach includes a newsletter, a new website, and public events to broaden community engagement.
In summer 2024, the SRHWG was awarded $299,189 via the Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Cooperate Watershed Management Program. A portion of this funding, distributed across 3 years, will go towards LegacyWorks Group’s continued facilitation and coordination of group meetings, expanding public outreach, and laying the groundwork for future watershed restoration planning efforts.
The Water Management & Flow group collected feedback from 25 guides and outfitters on seasonal flows, informing Bureau of Reclamation planning and strengthening local-federal coordination. Meanwhile, the Data & Monitoring group is developing a centralized dashboard to integrate scattered datasets into a shared, user-friendly tool that supports informed decision-making.
Through intentional design, facilitation, and coordination by LegacyWorks Group, SRHWG has become a trusted hub for collaborative problem-solving in the Upper Snake. As Aaron Pruzan, SRHWG steering committee member, puts it: “Legacy’s ability to maintain an impartial view while zeroing in on key issues has enabled us to learn from each other and make informed decisions for one of the West’s most important rivers.”
Partners of the Snake River Headwaters Watershed Group include:
Grand Teton National Park
Snake River Fund
Teton Conservation District
Teton County, WY
Trout Unlimited
WYAct
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Impact Area: Clean Water and Healthy Watersheds
Services: Strategy Consulting and Planning, Collaborative Facilitation & Community Engagement, Incubation and Capacity Support