Water both limits and supports life; as such, it is essential for life processes. Free water is a limiting factor for some wildlife species in arid regions of the world. In the western United States, management agencies have installed numerous water developments to benefit wildlife. Despite >50 years as an active management practice, questions have been raised concerning the efficacy and potential negative impacts of wildlife water developments. We propose a conceptual framework for understanding more generally how, when, and where water developments are likely to benefit wildlife that are intended to use such devices. We argue that five elements are fundamental to an integrated understanding of the use of water developments by wildlife: (1) availability of free water in time and space; (2) water state (free, metabolic, or pre-formed) used by wildlife; (3) seasonal temperature and precipitation patterns that influence the physiological need for water by wildlife; (4) behavioral constraints that limit use of otherwise available free water; and (5) proper spacing and placement of water developments for targeted species. These elements are intended to help guide research and management efforts concerning the influences of wildlife water developments.