WaterSMART

WaterSMART Basin Studies

Basin Studies are collaborative studies, cost-shared with non-Federal partners, to evaluate water supply and demand and help ensure reliable water supplies by identifying strategies to address imbalances in water supply and demand. Each study includes four key elements:

• State-of-the-art projections of future supply and demand by river basin.
• An analysis of how the basin’s existing water and power operations and infrastructure will perform in the face of changing water realities.
• Development of strategies to meet current and future water demands.
• A trade-off analysis of strategies identified.

Contacts

For more information regarding the Basin Study Program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Amanda Erath at 303-445-2766. Or, you may contact the Basin Study Program contact in your Region, as follows:

• Interior Region 5: Missouri Basin & Interior Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas Gulf - Dennis Kelsch, (406) 247-7754
• Interior Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin - Nathan Clifton, (801) 524-3613
• Interior Region 8: Lower Colorado Basin - Kaylee Nelson, (702) 293-8073
• Interior Region 9: Columbia-Pacific Northwest - Ryan Alcorn, (208) 378-5106
• Interior Region 10: California-Great Basin - Michael Dietl, (916) 978-5070

If you are unclear what Region you are located in, please see Reclamation’s regional map, available at: https://www.usbr.gov/main/offices.html.

If you would like to receive email of Basin Study funding opportunities, please send an email to watersmart@usbr.gov with your name and email. Please put Basin Studies in the subject line.

Announcements

• Webinar on Pecos River – New Mexico Basin Study Results

  TThe Bureau of Reclamation will host a webinar on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. MDT to share the results of the Pecos River – New Mexico Basin Study. Reclamation conducted the Basin Study in partnership with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. Click here to join the webinar.

• Reclamation releases Pecos River - New Mexico Basin Study

  The Pecos River Basin in New Mexico is likely to experience growing water shortages as temperatures continue to rise through the next 100 years. These gaps between water supply and demand were identified in a new study funded through the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Basin Study Program. Read More →

• Webinar on Missouri Headwaters Basin Study Results

  The Bureau of Reclamation will host a webinar on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 10:00 am MDT to share the results of the Missouri Headwaters Basin Study. Reclamation conducted the Basin Study in partnership with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Click here to to join the webinar.

• Upper Missouri River Basin Study identifies strategies to meet future water demands and improve drought resiliency

  The Bureau of Reclamation released the Missouri River Headwaters Basin Study that provides options to meet the increased water demand and a change in the timing of the snowmelt runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Fort Peck Reservoir. The basin covers about 50,000 square miles and is the primary water source for 320,000 people and about 1.1 million acres of irrigated lands. Read More →

• Webinar on WaterSMART Basin Studies

  Reclamation hosted a webinar on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, to discuss information about WaterSMART Basin Studies, including eligible applicants, program requirements, and the selection process. Click here to view the webinar. If you have questions regarding applicant eligibility, program requirements, or the selection process, click here and select your appropriate Reclamation region to schedule time to talk with the program coordinators.

• 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 →.