Water governance indicators in theory and practice: applying the OECD’s water governance indicators in the North American Great Lakes region

In the past decade there has been growth in the use of water governance indicators to assess and deepen our understanding of water policy. This article presents research that applies the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) water governance indicators at the transboundary scale in the North American Great Lakes region. Findings reveal the OECD’s water governance indicators provide some diagnostic value, however there are some important limitations when adapting and applying the indicators at the transboundary scale. The article concludes with insights and outlines challenges of using water governance indicators in research and practice while at the same time embracing complexity in water governance.