[1] The inaugural National Championship was held in 1997 for the top 16 crews in the country, located at Lake Natoma, Sacramento, California.

Eleven teams are selected through automatic qualification based on conference results.

An additional eleven at-large teams are selected by the NCAA Rowing Committee.

At-large participants in the championships are selected by the NCAA Division I Women’s Rowing Committee.

The following criteria are used in selecting teams and individual boats: Key The first women’s collegiate championship was held in 1980 at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.