Water Conflict Chronology
Tracking the world’s water-related conflicts – from ancient times to the present day
The Water Conflict Chronology is the world’s most comprehensive open-source record of water-related conflicts, spanning more than 4,500 years of human history. From ancient disputes over irrigation canals to cyberattacks on modern water systems, the database documents how water can be a casualty, trigger, or weapon.
Explore the data, visualize trends, and discover how water and security intersect around the globe.
Navigate Quickly
| Quick Access | Basic Stats |
|---|---|
| 🔍 Browse the Database | 💧 2,700+ recorded conflicts
⏳ 4,500 years of historical records 🌍 100+ countries represented 📅 Updated annually |
Water Conflict at a Glance
About the Water Conflict Chronology
In an ongoing effort to understand the connections between water resources, water systems, and international security and conflict, the Pacific Institute initiated a project in the late 1980s to track and categorize events related to water and conflict. The database, most recently updated in November 2025, presents the information as a searchable chronology and map.
The Water Conflict Chronology has been made possible by a number of individuals, teams, and funders. Click here for the Water Conflict Chronology credits.
What You’ll Find
The Water Conflict Chronology helps researchers, policymakers, and media explore patterns and drivers of water-related conflict. Each entry in the database includes details on:
- Date and location
- The form of water conflict (casualty, trigger, weapon)
- Brief descriptions
- Citations or sources
How Data Are Collected
All entries are compiled and reviewed by researchers at the Pacific Institute, based on open-source information, incidents from historical records, news reports, eyewitness accounts, and information from other conflict databases.
Methodology and definitions are available in our Methods and Definitions page and have been published in Gleick and Shimabuku 2023.
Forms of Conflict
Casualty: When water resources, systems, or people are intentionally or incidentally harmed.
Trigger: When tensions or disputes over water resources cause or contribute to a conflict, such as when there is a dispute over the control of water or water systems, or when the lack of access to basic water services triggers violence.
Weapon: When water resources or water systems are deliberately used as tools or weapons in conflict.
Use the Water Conflict Chronology
You’re encouraged to:
- Explore past and current water conflicts and trends
- Download the dataset for analysis
- Cite the database in your work: Pacific Institute (2025) Water Conflict Chronology. Pacific Institute, Oakland, CA. https://www.worldwater.org/water-conflict/. Accessed: (access date).
- Share new potential events with our team
Contribute or Contact
Help us keep the Chronology up to date by sharing potential new events with us.
If you know of a water-related conflict or event that’s not yet listed, or if you have questions, please fill out our online form below or email our team at info@pacinst.org.