WaterSMART

WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow)

The American West faces serious water challenges. Wide-spread drought, increased populations, aging infrastructure, and environmental requirements all strain existing water and hydropower resources. Adequate and safe water supplies are fundamental to the health, economy, and security of the country. Through WaterSMART, Reclamation will continue to work 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.

Announcements

• 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 →.

• Reclamation provides funding for two water management pilots in central Oregon

  The Bureau of Reclamation is allocating $219,496 for two pilot projects in Central Oregon. The Central Oregon Irrigation District and East Fork Irrigation District water management pilots will analyze improvements to conserve water for identified needs in their areas. The two districts are providing $232,480 in cost-sharing for the two pilot projects. Read More →.

• Reclamation seeks comments on updated eligibility and evaluation criteria for three WaterSMART funding opportunities

  Reclamation is proposing several changes to the WaterSMART program for 2022. Reclamation is seeking public comment on draft eligibility and evaluation criteria for three funding opportunities within the WaterSMART Program to assist with these changes.
  
  Reclamation proposes updates to the eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria for the Drought Resiliency Projects and Water and Energy Efficiency Grants funding opportunities. Reclamation is also launching a new funding opportunity for Environmental Water Resources Projects. This new funding opportunity will focus on projects that have environmental benefits, are developed as part of a collaborative process, and may be eligible for up to 75% federal funding.
  
  The changes were developed to incorporate recent amendments to the SECURE Water Act (Title IX, Subtitle F of P.L. 111-11), implement priorities identified in Presidential Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and Executive Order 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, and support the goals of the Interagency Drought Relief Working Group established in March 2021.
  
  The comment period has now closed. Comments received by June 18, 2021 are currently under review.

  Read Draft Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria

• Reclamation providing $808,912 to California, Nebraska and Utah to prepare for future droughts

  The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $808,912 to five entities in California, Nebraska and Utah to develop a drought contingency plan or update an existing plan. These drought plans will help regions and communities plan for and build long-term resiliency to drought. Read More →.

  Project Descriptions

• Reclamation provides $2.1 million for collaborative watershed projects in seven western states

  The Bureau of Reclamation will provide $2.1 million for 11 collaborative watershed management projects through the WaterSMART program. These projects have been developed by groups of stakeholders working together to address critical water supply needs and water quality concerns. They help water users meet competing demands and avoid conflicts over water. Read More →

  Project Descriptions