The ND WRRI is one of the 54 institutes known collectedly as the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR). The NDWRRI was founded in 1965, by authority of Congress (Water Resources Research Acts of 1964, 1972, 1984, and 1990), and is administrated through the United States Geological Survey.

Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act requires the NDWRRI to apply its Federal allotment funds to:

1. Plan, conduct or otherwise arrange for competent research that fosters:
   (A) the entry of new research scientists into the water resources field,
   (B) training and education of future water resources scientists, engineers, and technicians;
   (C) the preliminary exploration of new ideas that address water problems or expand understanding of water and water-related phenomena; and
   (D) the dissemination of research results to water managers and public.
    
2. Cooperate closely with other college and universities in the state that have demonstrated the capability for research, information dissemination and graduate training, in order to develop a statewide program designed to resolve State and regional water and related land problems.
    
3. Cooperate closely with other institutes and other organizations in the region to increase the effectiveness of the Institute and for the purpose of promoting regional cooperation.