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.

Documents

Contacts

For more information regarding the Basin Study Program, please contact Avra Morgan at 303-445-2906.

Regional Basin Study Program Contacts:

  • Interior Region 5: Missouri Basin & Interior Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas Gulf - Marlena Lanini, 406-247-7743 or mlanini@usbr.gov
  • Interior Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin - Brandi Rose Worthington, (801) 524-3639 or broseworthington@usbr.gov
  • Interior Region 8: Lower Colorado Basin - Deanna Morrell, (702) 293-8589 or dmorrell@usbr.gov
  • Interior Region 9: Columbia-Pacific Northwest - Jessica Peters, (208) 270-1462 or jepeters@usbr.gov
  • Interior Region 10: California-Great Basin - Mike Dietl, (916) 397-4483 or mdietl@usbr.gov

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.

You may complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notification from the Bureau of Reclamation.

Announcements


Current Status

Reclamation is currently requesting letters of interest for non-Federal entities interested in conducting a Plan of Study, Basin Study, or Water Management Options Pilot.                     


Calendar

Letters of interest are due June 20, 2023


News Releases

February 3, 2023
Reclamation releases West Salt River Basin Study

December 22, 2022
Reclamation announces $4.6 million in funding for Basin Studies

August 31, 2022
American River Basin Study finds that increasing temperatures and changing precipitation will impact basin through rest of 21st century

October 12, 2021
Reclamation released the Pecos River Basin Study

August 26, 2021
Reclamation released the Missouri River Headwaters Basin Study

June 1, 2021
Reclamation provides funding for two water management pilots in central Oregon


Irrigation Demands Projection Tool

Photo of agricultural field
Last Update:  5/1/23