WaterSMART

Cooperative Watershed Management Program

The Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP) contributes to the WaterSMART strategy by providing funding to watershed groups to encourage diverse stakeholders to form local solutions to address their water management needs. Funding is provided on a competitive basis for:

Watershed Group Development and Watershed Restoration Planning: In 2012, Reclamation began providing funding for watershed group development, watershed restoration planning, and watershed management project design (Phase I). A watershed group is a self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based group that is composed of a diverse array of stakeholders, which may include, but is not limited to, private property owners, non-profit organizations, Federal, state, or local agencies, and tribes. As part of Phase I activities, applicants may use funding to develop bylaws, a mission statement, complete stakeholder outreach, develop a watershed restoration plan, and watershed management project design. For Phase I projects, Reclamation will award a successful applicant up to $100,000 per year for a period of up to three years with no non-Federal cost-share required.

Implementation of Watershed Management Projects: In 2017, Reclamation started to provide cost-shared financial assistance to watershed groups to implement watershed management projects. These on-the-ground projects, collaboratively developed by members of a watershed group, address critical water supply needs and water quality concerns, helping water users meet competing demands and avoid conflicts over water. Reclamation currently provides funding to watershed groups for the implementation of watershed management projects through the Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity.

Documents

• Cooperative Watershed Management Program Fact Sheet
• FY23 CWMP Phase I Funding Opportunity FAQ

Announcements

• FY24 Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I and FY24 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects Webinar

  The Bureau of Reclamation hosted an informational webinar on Thursday, August 31, 2023 to discuss the Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I and the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects funding opportunities. If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility or the evaluation criteria, click here and select the applicable funding opportunity to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinators.  

• Biden-Harris Administration Makes Nearly $200 Million Available for Drought and Climate Resiliency Projects as Part of Investing in America Agenda

  The Department of the Interior today announced up to $195 million in funding opportunities available through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to develop a more resilient water supply, support cooperative watershed management and safeguard aquatic ecosystems. The funds come primarily from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s WaterSMART program, as well as from the Inflation Reduction Act and annual appropriations. Read More →

• Watershed groups receive $3.8 million to collaboratively address water management issues

  The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $3.8 million to 21 groups to create or expand watershed groups. WaterSMART's Cooperative Watershed Management Program brings diverse stakeholders together to develop local solutions for their water management needs. Read More →

  Project Descriptions

• Reclamation awards $2.6 million for Western communities to establish or expand watershed groups

  The Bureau of Reclamation is awarding $2.6 million to 27 communities in the Western United States to establish or expand existing watershed management groups through WaterSMART's Cooperative Watershed Management Program. Each group is eligible for up to $50,000 a year for two years with no federal cost-share required. Read More →.

  Selected Projects