The Institute for Water Resources (IWR) was established by the USACE Chief of Engineers in 1969 with the approval of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Subcommittees on Public Works in order "to enhance the capability of the Corps of Engineers to develop and manage the Nation’s water resources, within the scope of the Corps’ responsibilities, by developing essential improvements in planning to be responsive to the changing concerns of our society."
View the IWR timeline from 1969-2009 here.