Membership

Who is NWC?

The National Waterways Conference is the only national organization to advocate in favor of national policy and laws that recognize the vital importance of America’s water resources infrastructure to our nation’s wellbeing and quality of life. Established in 1960, NWC supports a sound balance between economic and human needs and environmental and ecological considerations.

Who are our members?

NWC welcomes any organization that recognizes the need to promote a better understanding of the public value of America’s water resources and their importance to public safety, a competitive economy, national security, environmental quality and energy conservation.

Our members represent the full spectrum of water resources stakeholders including ports; shippers; carriers; dredging contractors; flood control and levee districts; water supply (drinking water, wastewater, reuse); hydropower producers and energy companies; industry, national and regional associations; federal, state and local governments and special districts; engineering, construction and policy consultants, and formal Congressional and administrative officials.

Get to Know Our Members

Explore the organizations that make up the National Waterways Conference.
Browse our alphabetical member list.

Membership by Member Type (by percentage)

Membership by Organization Type (by percentage)

Why join?

NWC is a strong voice in Washington for you. 

Working closely with Congress, the Administration and Federal agencies, NWC and its members help shape public policies affecting water resources. We do this by creating valuable networking opportunities, monitoring, analyzing and responding to Federal actions and legislation, and providing needed resources to our members.

Always advocating for a sound and balanced approach to water resources policy and law, NWC’s reasonable approach to legislative quandaries has the respect of lawmakers whether testifying before Congress, commenting on proposed regulations or entering a federal court battle. 

NWC members know that a reliable and well-maintained water resources infrastructure is fundamental to America’s economic and environmental future and is essential to maintaining our nation’s competitive position within the global economy. NWC supports them in their work in many ways.

Coalition Building

NWC works to keep diverse water resources interests pulling together for a common purpose. To that end, NWC works internally and externally, inside and outside of Washington, D.C. to build a consensus on Federal water and waterways issues. 

Internally, we have several committees and caucuses that help advance water resource goals. Our Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) advises and determines the federal policy positions for NWC. NWC’s caucuses—Navigation, Flood Control, Water Supply and Hydropower—work collectively to advise LPC on pending issues that may impact water and waterway resources. NWC caucuses also serve as a thought leader and networking opportunity for members in those fields.

 Externally, NWC has a Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that allows us to hold candid and robust discussions on various policy issues. Additionally, NWC is involved with other water and waterways infrastructure interests to discuss issues of mutual concern and forge productive working relationships.

Rational decision-making requires up-to-date comprehensive data. NWC Federal Spotlights and News Alerts (members get first access) provide a reliable and accurate assessment of legislative and policy developments and the political shifts behind them. It is considered essential reading for those who want to stay abreast of the latest trends.

Whenever specific water resources policy issues emerge in Washington, NWC is prepared with fact sheets and background materials. When warranted, NWC commissions and publishes impact statements, studies and technical papers to paint a more balanced picture of the issue in question.

Recognized for our timely and provocative programs, the NWC Annual Meeting (held in the fall) features knowledgeable and articulate participants and keynoters. Speakers have included Cabinet officials, Governors, and Congressional and industry leaders. In addition to the informative presentations and panel discussions, the meeting offers numerous opportunities for networking. 

The NWC Legislative Summit (held in the spring) features presentations by Members of Congress and senior officials from the Executive Branch. Attendees have the opportunity to meet with their Congressional delegations.

The Regional Spotlight series is designed to introduce people to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as well as build deeper relationships within the USACE division and district offices. 

NWC engages federal policy makers on numerous key issues including the biannual Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), Congressional appropriations, infrastructure-related legislation, and administration and agency related rulemakings, initiatives, and proceedings. 

Some of the issues we focus on include, but are not limited to, WRDA legislation and implementation guidance, “Waters of the U.S.” rulemaking, USACE policy and procedural guidance to alter civil works projects (Sec. 408), National Levee Safety Program, Principles, Requirements and Guidelines (PR&G), National Flood Insurance Program changes, Federal Flood Risk Management Standards, Endangered Species Act, and water supply and reallocation policies.

Join now!

Member Categories

NWC welcomes three categories of members:

  • Corporate – Private firms and other for-profit organizations
  • Public – Government agencies at all levels, including government-chartered and quasi-government organizations
  • Association – River basin associations, regional development organizations, national, regional, and local trade associations, and other non-profit organizations

Join the broad coalition of NWC members. Your membership will begin on receipt of payment and last for a year.

Questions? Call 703-224-8007 or email us.

Ready to Join?

NWC is currently transitioning to a new tiered dues structure and a January 1 calendar-year renewal cycle, both effective January 1, 2027. To ensure smooth onboarding aligned with the transition, prospective members are invited to contact NWC staff directly.

Contact: NWCmembership@waterways.org

Staff will walk you through current 2026 rates, tier placement under the 2027 structure, and the prorated invoicing approach so you know exactly what to expect.

Member Type Annual Dues
Corporate $1,725
Public $1,525
Association $1,200

Members joining in 2026 through December 31, 2026 will be invoiced a pro-rated dues rate for the remainder of the calendar year. Beginning January 1, 2027, all memberships transition to a calendar-year renewal under the new tiered structure described below.

2027 Membership Dues (Effective January 1, 2027)

Beginning January 1, 2027, NWC will move from flat rates to a tiered structure based on organizational size and capacity. The new structure is designed to align dues with each member’s scale and to ensure smaller organizations see more modest contributions while larger organizations contribute proportionally more.

Associations

Tiers Annual Dues Criteria
Association $1,750 Nonprofit entities

Public Entities

Tier Annual Dues Criteria
Small $2,000 ≤20 FTE OR population ≤50,000
Medium $3,000 21–50 FTE OR population 50,000–200,000
Large $4,000 51–75 FTE OR population 200,000–500,000
Extra Large $5,000 76+ FTE OR population 500,000+

Corporate

Tier Annual Dues Criteria
Micro $2,300 <20 FTE OR budget <$5M
Small $3,500 20–70 FTE OR budget $5M–$25M
Large $5,500 76–250 FTE OR budget $25M–$100M
Extra Large $8,000 250+ FTE OR budget >$100M

Beginning January 1, 2028, dues will include a modest annual adjustment of approximately 3% to account for inflation and avoid the need for large, infrequent increases.

If you are unsure which tier applies to your organization, NWC staff are available to help confirm placement.