Small Storage Program

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Small Storage Program was authorized by sections 40901(1) and 40903 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to promote Federal assistance to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations in support of the Department of the Interior's priorities. The statutory authority to carry out programmatic activities expires on November 15, 2026. 

In accordance with the IIJA, as amended by P.L. 117-328, projects must have a water storage capacity of not less than 200 acre-feet and not more than 30,000 acre-feet.

Through this program, Reclamation provides financial assistance for projects that, when implemented, will increase water supply reliability, improve operational flexibility, and enhance resiliency of water and related infrastructure throughout the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. The third and final funding opportunity closed in April 2026.

Small Storage Program Eligibility Overview

To be eligible for the funding opportunity, project proponents must first submit a feasibility study which meets the requirements of Temporary Reclamation Manual Release CMP TRMR-127, Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects Feasibility Review Process. Reclamation must find the feasibility study meets the requirements of CMP TRMR-127 by the date specified in the funding opportunity. Feasibility studies for the final funding opportunity were due on February 13, 2026. Reclamation is no longer accepting feasibility study submissions due to the statutory termination of authority.

Documents

Contact

For more information regarding the Small Storage Program, please contact the Small Storage Program Team at bor-sha-smallstorage@usbr.gov.

Join the Small Storage Program Mailing List

You may complete this form to receive notifications about the Small Storage Program from the Bureau of Reclamation.

Announcements

Current Status

The Fiscal Year 2026 funding opportunity  closed on April 17, 2026. The funding opportunity made approximately $43 million available.

Reclamation is no longer accepting feasibility study submissions from eligible non-Federal entities due to the statutory termination of authority on November 15, 2026. 

Calendar

July 2025

  • Fiscal year 2026 Small Storage Program funding opportunity opened.

August 2025

  • Reclamation hosted a webinar on the Fiscal Year 2026 funding opportunity. See the Announcements section for more information.

February 13, 2026

  • Deadline to submit small storage feasibility studies for Reclamation's review. This is a requirement to determine funding eligibility. Early submissions are highly encouraged. Studies may be submitted to bor-sha-smallstorage@usbr.gov.

April 17, 2026

  • Deadline to submit an application for funding under the Fiscal Year 2026 notice of funding opportunity.

Summer 2026

  • Fiscal Year 2026 funding recipients are notified.

November 15, 2026

  • Termination of statutory authority to carry out programmatic activities.

News Releases

Last Updated: July 1, 2026