Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

The Bureau of Reclamation has released its Climate Change Adaptation Strategy that outlines how Reclamation will combat climate change. The strategy also affirms Reclamation will use leading science and engineering to adapt to human-caused climate change.

Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton discusses Reclamation's Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

The strategy focuses on four goals:

  1. Increase water management flexibility – including improvements to reservoir operations and hydropower generation efficiency, development of water treatment and water conservation technologies to relieve water scarcity and advancing applications in watershed monitoring and forecasting to provide better decision-support.
  2. Enhance climate adaptation planning – including engagement with water and power stakeholders to build climate resilience and provide financial assistance through WaterSMART programs, and development of guidance to better account for climate change in planning and related environmental reviews, tailored for situations in long-term resource management, new infrastructure, asset management, operations and maintenance, dam safety, aquatic restoration and more.
  3. Improve infrastructure resilience – Reclamation will embark on strategic activities in hydropower, dam safety, infrastructure investments and innovation, ensuring its infrastructure continues to provide benefits well into the future.
  4. Expand information sharing – including working with partners to develop quality-assured climate change information and then making that information publicly available for different resource management situations.

Climate Change Adaptation Strategy

Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Fact Sheet

News Release: Reclamation releases Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (April 20, 2023)

Last Updated: 4/20/23