The Institute was established by the decision of the Governmental Commission for Foundation of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences on 29 April, 1952 which took effect on 1 January, 1953. Originally designated as the Laboratory of Water Management, it was later renamed the Institute of Water Management, and its present name dates from 1 January, 1958. The first director was the founder of the Institute, Professor Jan Smetana (1953–1962).

It is pertinent to recall that Professor Smetana was also one of the founders of international organizations as IAHS and IAHR. At the beginning of its development, the Institute mainly solved classical problems of hydrodynamics related to waterworks and hydraulic structures, hydrology and problems of water-treatment.

• The Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic