News Release Archive

Bureau of Reclamation awards $1.3 million to seven projects to develop water market strategies in their communities

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303-445-3615, psoeth@usbr.gov

For Release: October 04, 2018

The Lahontan Reservoir in Nevada. This reservoir is part of the project selected today by Carson Water Subconservancy District where they will create a water markeing and exchange program for the Carson River watershed.WASHINGTON - Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman announced that Reclamation has awarded $1.3 million to seven projects to establish or expand water markets or water marketing activities. These seven projects are located in California, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Washington.

"Water marketing provides communities a solution to move water between willing sellers and buyers within their local delivery areas," Commissioner Burman said. "A water market is just one of the several tools water managers need to manage water within their communities."

A complete description of the selected projects is available at: https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/watermarketing/index.html. The selected projects are:

Carson Water Subconservancy District (Nevada)
Reclamation funding: $100,000, non-federal funding: $111,649

City of Grand Junction (Colorado)
Reclamation funding: $200,000, non-federal funding: $200,000

County of Madera (California)
Reclamation funding: $199,999, non-federal funding: $200,000

Inland Empire Utilities Agency (California)
Reclamation funding: $400,000, non-federal funding: $1,266,949

McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency (California)
Reclamation funding: $193,000, non-federal funding: $193,000

Seleh-Moxee Irrigation District (Washington)
Reclamation funding: $72,900, non-federal funding: $72,900

The Chickasaw Nation (Oklahoma)
Reclamation funding: $149,228, non-federal funding: $149,228

Water marketing strategy grants are used to conduct planning activities in developing a water marketing strategy. Water marketing refers to water rights transactions and includes the lease, sale or exchange of water rights undertaken in accordance with state and federal laws between willing buyers and sellers. Learn more at: https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/watermarketing/index.html.

Through WaterSMART, Reclamation works cooperatively with States, Tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply through investments to modernize existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts. Visit https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart for additional information about the program.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Project Descriptions