This study is focused on the synthesis of chromate anion imprinted sorbent supported on silica gel for nonchromatographic Cr speciation in surface waters. The preparation procedure is based on grafting of 3-methyl-1-trimethoxysilylpropylimidazolium, preliminarily coordinated to CrO$_{4}^{2-}$ as a template ion, onto the surface of silica gel. Sorption and desorption characteristics of surface-imprinted sorbent toward Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were examined by batch solid-phase extraction. An excellent separation of Cr(VI), selectively retained on the sorbent, from Cr(III) remained in the solution, was achieved at pH 2-3 for 20 min. A freshly prepared mixture of ascorbic acid and nitric acid was selected as the most efficient eluent for quantitative desorption of the retained Cr(VI). An analytical procedure for Cr speciation in surface waters was developed and validated through analysis of certified reference materials. Detection limits achieved and relative standard deviations for typical concentration levels of Cr(VI) in surface waters matched the requirements of analytical procedures used in monitoring programs.