The IWRA was incorporated in the U.S. state of Wisconsin in 1971 as a global forum for interdisciplinary knowledge and experience exchange, to supplement the activities of existing organisations and to fill interdisciplinary voids that existed in the professional field of water resources. The association began operation in 1972 with Ven Te Chow as the first president. In 1988, the Ven Te Chow Memorial Lecture and Award was initiated to honor the founding president.
