Since 1974, HRA has been providing historical expertise in complex water rights litigation and adjudications. Our research helps attorneys, tribes, and federal agencies support or challenge claimed priority dates.

Our historians conduct research in federal and state archives, state engineer offices, government documents, special collections, and private manuscript collections. From these records, we prepare comprehensive, well-documented reports to explain the history of land and water use in a given watershed in order to help determine the legitimacy of water rights claims.

Our services include:

• Investigation of water rights filings
• Detailed histories of irrigation and reclamation projects
• Research concerning federally reserved water rights
• Assistance with discovery and records management
• Preparation of exhibits for trial, including in electronic format
• Expert witness testimony