Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program

Key Content

Purpose

The Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program (LC Conservation Program) is a part of the commitment made by the Department of the Interior (Department) on August 16, 2022, to address the drought crisis with prompt and responsive actions and investments to ensure the entire Colorado River Basin can function and support all who rely on it. Reclamation is using the best available science and actively collaborating with water users across the Colorado River Basin to determine best ways to meet the increased conservation need.

The LC Conservation Program is intended to provide new opportunities for system conservation in the lower Colorado River Basin by reducing consumptive use of Colorado River water having a recent history of use. Projects supported by the LC Conservation Program bridge the immediate need for additional conservation (known as “Bucket 1”) while moving toward improved system efficiency and more durable long-term solutions for the system (known as “Bucket 2”).

Under the LC Conservation Program, Reclamation also requested proposals describing system conservation projects that provide environmental benefits or ecosystem and habitat restoration projects (known as “Bucket 3”) to address issues directly caused by drought in a river basin or inland water body within Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Basin Region. This program was intended to support improvement of poor habitat and ecosystem conditions that have been caused by drought and contributes to efforts among local, state, tribal, and private organizations to collaboratively plan and implement restoration and resilience efforts across the American West. Implementation of the Bucket 3 program is currently on hold.

Status of the LC Conservation Program

  1. Bucket 1
    • The period to submit proposals for near-term system conservation resulting in immediate water savings in Lake Mead has closed. A summary of Bucket 1 projects can be found here.
  2. Bucket 2
    • The period to submit proposals for more durable long-term solutions from improved system efficiency has closed. A summary of Bucket 2 projects can be found here.
  3. Bucket 3
    • The period to submit proposals for projects that provide environmental benefits or ecosystem and habitat restoration closed on March 25, 2025.

Related Links

Reclamation is extending the deadline to submit project proposals under phase two of its Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program

The Bureau of Reclamation is extending the deadline to submit project proposals under phase two of its Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program (LC Conservation Program). Colorado River Basin water entitlement holders and their partners, including Lower Colorado River Basin States, Tribes, Water Users, and Non-Governmental Organizations have until August 18, 2023, to submit proposals.

Reclamation requests proposals for next phase of Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program

The Bureau of Reclamation announced the next phase of its Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program (LC Conservation Program), via a letter to Colorado River Basin water entitlement holders and their partners, including Lower Colorado River Basin States, Tribes, Water Users, and Non-Governmental Organizations. The letter announces funding opportunities for long-term durable system efficiency improvements that result in quantifiable, verifiable water savings in Lake Mead that is based on a recent history of use. Reclamation will accept proposals from water entitlement holders and their partners through July 19, 2023.

Reclamation requests input for next phase of Lower Colorado Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program

On March 23, the Bureau of Reclamation sent a letter requesting input from Colorado River stakeholders to inform development of the next phase of the Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program. The Program is intended to provide alternative paths to system efficiency, leading to additional conservation and longer-term durable solutions for the Colorado River System. Reclamation is working to release the solicitation for proposed Program projects in spring 2023. Input can be sent via email to LCBEfficiency@usbr.gov and will be accepted through April 6, 2023.

Funding Opportunity for Voluntary Participation in the Lower Colorado Conservation and Efficiency Program

By letter dated October 12, 2022, Reclamation announced the funding opportunity for voluntary participation in the new LC Conservation Program. Included in this letter is Enclosure 1, which describes the LC Conservation Program’s proposal requirements.

Report to Congress, August 2021 – Pilot Projects to Increase Colorado River System Water in Lake Powell and Lake Mead

In August of 2021, Reclamation submitted a report to congress that evaluated the effectiveness of the Pilot System Conservation Program (Pilot Program) projects and recommended to Congress whether the activities undertaken by the Pilot Program should be continued. The effectiveness of the Pilot Program was based on the following criteria: volumes of water conserved, pilot project cost, average cost per acre-foot, impact to Colorado River System storage, administrative and technical challenges, and water user/public perception and receptiveness to participate in the Pilot Program. The Pilot Program successfully demonstrated that voluntary, compensated water conservation projects can conserve water for Colorado River System storage to help mitigate the impacts of drought.

To access additional information on the Pilot Program, visit the Lower Colorado Region’s Programs and Activities webpage.

Contact Us

For additional questions or information about the LC Conservation Program please contact:

Project and Program Office
Email: LCBEfficiency Mailbox, BOR LCR

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Last Updated:10/7/25