Water has always shaped life in the Mountain State. Long before roads crossed our mountains, rivers and streams were the pathways that connected communities and allowed people to explore this rugged landscape. Today, West Virginia boasts more than 32,000 miles of streams and rivers, helping make our state one of the most water-rich places in the nation.

Those waters continue to define us. They power industry, sustain wildlife, and support a thriving outdoor recreation economy. West Virginia is home to some of the finest whitewater rafting in the country, with the New River Gorge drawing tens of thousands of visitors annually to experience its world-class rapids.

Yet water's story here is not always simple.

Access to clean, reliable water remains a challenge for many communities in West Viginia, reminding us that this vital resource should never be taken for granted.

Water is beautiful.
Water is powerful.
Water is essential.
Water is precious