Imagine water leaders painting pictures of the meanings of waterways along the banks of the Colorado River during a monitoring river trip. This is part of the oral history project on stories of water and water leadership led by Dr. Lisa J. Hardy in partnership with Mariessa Fowler and Erik Stanfield. Further developing the initial findings on water leadership from the Regional Landscape Analysis, we are conducting arts-based oral history interviews and talking circles to understand patterns of how people come to understand and lead in water management systems, and what that means for water security. Results of the project will include building capacity for multi-method research, along with insights on cultural and local meanings and decision-making on water, with related recommendations. We hope to share findings and related artwork through public-facing stories in response to questions about water and decision-making in the Colorado Plateau. Additionally, the findings will help inform the development of the Northern Arizona Water Leadership Institute.