Texas State University-San Marcos (Texas State) established the International Institute for Sustainable Water Resources (IISWR) in January 2002 as a leadership initiative to coordinate and further university-wide efforts in the field of aquatic resource management. In 2005, the IISWR was renamed the River Systems Institute. This renaming reflects a sharpened emphasis in the Institute’s projects and programs on the primary importance of river systems in the hydrologic cycle.

Capitalizing on ownership of its own aquatic ecosystem, Texas State enjoys the significant advantage of physical proximity to important freshwater systems and aquatic facilities. The San Marcos Springs, flowing from the Edwards Aquifer, the second largest artesian aquifer west of the Mississippi River, was acquired by Texas State in 1994. The springs, and the downstream San Marcos River, originate and flow through the Texas State campus. Nearby Canyon and Dunlap lakes have been studied by Texas State faculty and students for years. River, wetland, and fishery facilities owned by the university or the government are located either on or nearby campus.

The Texas State campus sits 30 miles southwest of Austin, the legislative home to major water agencies, organizations and authorities. This location affords the Institute considerable access to the many stakeholders concerned with finding solutions to real-world water issues.