Agency Overview
The State Engineer’s Office (SEO) works with a biennial budget of approximately $27 million and 121 authorized employees. Approximately 50% of the employees are based in Cheyenne with the remaining 50% distributed in field offices throughout the state to assist water users. After numerous budget reducing efforts, personnel costs comprise approximately 90% of the budget.

Background and Structure
Article 8 of the Wyoming Constitution created the SEO and Board of Control (BOC) to provide general supervision of the waters of the State of Wyoming. The role of both the SEO and the BOC is to administer a water law system that allocates the waters of the state based upon the doctrine of prior appropriation. Water users are then able to rely on a defined water law system which provides protection and security in a state that has to endure the scarcity of water on an annual basis. Also under the SEO are the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and the Board of Water Well Drilling Contractors and Water Well Pump Installation Contractors.

The operating organization of the SEO is as follows:

Ground Water Division
Surface Water Division (including safety of dams)
Board of Control Division
Interstate Streams Division
Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
Board of Water Well Drilling Contractors and Water Well Pump Installation Contractors

The operating divisions are supported by

Administrative Division
Support Services Division.