OCWP Recommendations Highlighted During Governor's Water Conference

Recommendations of the 2025 Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP) update were shared with attendees of the 45th Annual Governor’s Water Conference and Research Symposium in Norman on December 3-4. A record turnout enjoyed two days of engaging discussions on Oklahoma’s most pressing water issues, along with opportunities to connect with state and local leadership, industry professionals, and students from across the state.

Legislators Show Support for OCWP & Preview Water Priorities for Upcoming Session

Senators Chuck Hall and Grant Green joined with Representatives Mike Dobrinski, Dell Kerbs, and Carl Newton to offer remarks and express their support for ongoing OCWP efforts. The lawmakers called attention to several issues central to the OCWP, including modernizing water-use reporting, improving drought preparedness, addressing infrastructure needs, and supporting targeted initiatives, such as red cedar eradication.

Oklahoma legislators share perspectives during the Oklahoma Governor's Water Conference and Research Symposium. Pictured (left to right) are Sen. Chuck Hall, Sen. Grant Green, Rep. Mike Dobrinski, OWRB Chairman Thomas Gorman, Rep. Dell Kerbs, and Rep. Carl Newton.

Speakers Address Key OCWP Issues from Multiple Perspectives

Following a warm welcome from Governor Kevin Stitt, Branko Kerkez of the University of Michigan delivered a keynote address on harnessing artificial intelligence for water management. Concurrent breakout sessions explored four major focus areas of the 2025 OCWP recommendations: Water Policy and Management, Water Data and Information, Water Supply and Storage, and Water Infrastructure and Workforce.

To complement Oklahoma’s own experts, the program featured national voices, including Joel Lisonbee, NOAA Regional Drought Information Coordinator; Bruno Pigott, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association; and Bryan McMath, Executive Administrator of the Texas Water Development Board.

The OWRB extends sincere appreciation to all speakers for contributing to an informative and energizing conference.

Branko Kerkez delivers the keynote during the opening session, focusing on artificial intelligence for water management.

Congratulations to this Year's Award Winners!

The Oklahoma Water Pioneer Award was presented to Gary Sherrer, former Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Environment, and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and Grant Victor, State Conservationist and lifelong advocate for responsible water stewardship in northeast Oklahoma. Both honorees have made lasting contributions to elevating water issues and inspiring future generations of water professionals and decision-makers.

The Water for 2060 Excellence Award was given to Mark DeLeon, an agricultural producer in northwest Oklahoma known for his leadership in conservation and education, and the City of Guymon for its Mesa Water Project, an initiative centered on conservation, reuse, and securing long-term municipal water supplies. See all Water for 2060 Excellence Award winners here.

Left: Grant Victor and Gary Sherrer, 2025 Oklahoma Water Pioneers; Top right (left to right): Jarred Cambell (OWRB), Suzanne Landess (OWRB), Kim Peterson (Mayor of Guymon),Mike Shannon (City Manager of Guymon), Julie Cunningham (OWRB Executive Director), and Darren Cook (OWRB); Bottom right (left to right): Jarred Campbell, Addison DeLeon, Amy DeLeon, Mark DeLeon, Sumit Sharma (Master Irrigators Program, Oklahoma State University), Julie Cunningham, Suzanne Landess, and Darren Cook.

Thank You to Our Sponsors for Your Continuing Support

The OWRB gratefully acknowledges this year’s sponsors for making the event possible. Your support helps keep registration costs low, brings leading experts to Oklahoma, and ensures that the conference remains a valuable space for exchanging ideas and advancing solutions. Thanks to your ongoing commitment, this event continues to spark important conversations and elevate diverse perspectives on the state’s most important water issues. See a complete list of this year's sponsors here.

Join us at the Embassy Suites in Norman next year for the 46th Annual Oklahoma Governor's Water Conference and Research Symposium, tentatively scheduled for December 2-3, 2026.