- Reclamation
- WaterSMART
- WaterSMART
- Applied Science Grants
- Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program
- Baseline Assessments and Pilots
- Basin Studies
- Cooperative Watershed Management Program
- Drought Program
- Environmental Water Resources Projects
- Project Design Grants
- Reservoir Operation Pilots
- Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects
- Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
- Water Conservation Field Services Program
- Water Recyling and Desalination
- Water Strategy Grants
WaterSMART
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 avoid potential water conflicts.
Join the WaterSMART Mailing List
You may complete this form to receive WaterSMART program notification from the Bureau of Reclamation.WaterSMART Project Selections Overview
Since January 2021, Reclamation has selected 828 projects to be funded with $380.6 million in WaterSMART funding, in conjunction with $3.3 billion in non-Federal funding, across the western states.
Documents
Announcements
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President Biden’s Investing in America agenda delivers $8.9 million for cooperative watershed management
The Bureau of Reclamation today announced an $8.9 million investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to protect watershed health and build more resilient water supplies across the West. Funding will support 6 new cooperative projects and 12 existing cooperative projects in 12 states, bringing together diverse stakeholders to develop solutions that meet local water management needs. Read More →
Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I Funding Opportunity Webinar
The Bureau of Reclamation hosted a webinar on July 2, 2024 to discuss the Cooperative Watershed Management Program Phase I funding opportunity. Click here to watch a recording of the live event. This recording is available until January 1, 2025.
On August 7, 2023, the Bureau of Reclamation published a funding opportunity for Phase I of the WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program. The funding opportunity provides funding for collaborative, grassroots watershed groups to complete group development activities, watershed restoration planning, and watershed management project design. Reclamation will provide up to $300,000 in Federal funds to an applicant over a three-year period, with no more than $100,000 to be available per year.
If you have questions regarding applicant and project eligibility or the evaluation criteria, click here and select the applicable funding opportunity to schedule a time to talk with the program coordinator.
President’s Investing in America Agenda Delivers More Than $142 Million to Bolster Resilience to Drought and Boost Water Supplies
Acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior Laura Daniel-Davis today announced a $142 million investment from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance drought resilience and boost water supplies across the country, as part of the Investing in America agenda. The selected projects are expected to provide about 40,000 acre-feet of annual recycled water, enough to support more than 160,000 people a year. Read More →
Biden-Harris Administration Delivers $179 Million from Investing in America Agenda for Innovative Water Reuse and Drought Resilience Projects
The Department of the Interior today announced a $179 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for innovative water reuse projects that strengthen drought resilience across the West, increasing water security and resilience across western communities. Today’s funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support four projects in California and Utah to help communities create new sources of water to support water reliability. Read More →
Reclamation announces $3.7M in WaterSMART Small-Scale Water Efficiency grants for 41 projects
The Bureau of Reclamation announced 41 projects selected to receive $3.7 million to improve water efficiency in the Western United States. Projects receiving funding through the Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects include the installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system, lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or other similar projects that are limited in scope. Read More →
Biden-Harris Administration Delivers $147 Million from Investing in America Agenda for Drought Resiliency and Water Supply Reliability Across the West
The Department of the Interior today announced a $147.6 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help communities prepare and respond to water reliability challenges due to drought and other water scarcity concerns. The funding will support 42 projects in ten states. Read More →
Webinar for WaterSMART Build America, Buy America Waiver
On Tuesday, May 14th, Reclamation hosted a webinar to discuss the WaterSMART Build America, Buy America Waiver.
Reclamation's WaterSMART program received final approval for a waiver for the Build America, Buy America requirements on February 15, 2024. This waiver allows for conditional and time-limited purchase of non-domestic products used in water infrastructure projects funded under WaterSMART programs. The webinar included the coverage this waiver offers, how it applies to your project, and long term plans for sourcing products domestically.
Watch the recorded webinar here.
Presenters:
Katie Neupane, Chief Grant Officer, Bureau of Reclamation
Ned Weakland, Grant Officer, Bureau of ReclamationAdditional Resources:
BABA Waiver WaterSMART Slideshow
BABA Waiver Decision Map
Interpretation of the BABA Waiver for WaterSMARTPlease reach out to sha-DRO-FAOperations@usbr.gov to report any issues.
Biden-Harris administration provides more than $11 million for water sustainability and efficiency as part of Investing in America agenda
The Bureau of Reclamation today announced an $11.1 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to support collaborative planning and design projects that improve water sustainability and efficiency. The 34 grants through Reclamation’s WaterSMART program will support projects in 11 states and Guam. Funding for these grants is provided through President’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Read More →
Webinar for WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects
On Thursday, April 25th, Reclamation's WaterSMART program hosted a webinar to discuss the Environmental Water Resources Projects funding opportunity, which was posted to grants.gov on April 18th, 2024. The funding opportunity supports collaboratively developed projects that provide significant ecological benefits, including water conservation and efficiency projects, water management and infrastructure improvements, river and watershed restoration, and nature-based solutions implementation. Applications are due by June 18th, 2024 . The webinar will include information regarding eligibility, program requirements, and the selection process, and feature a question and answer session.
Watch the recorded webinar here.
Secretary Haaland Announces Up To $95 Million through the President’s Investing in America Agenda for Water Resources and Ecosystem Health
During remarks at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration in Albuquerque today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the availability of up to $95 million through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for projects to bolster water resources, advance ecosystem health and support resilience in communities facing drought and other climate change impacts. Read More →
Reclamation provides $13.3 million in grants to improve to enhance water management and forecast tools in the West
The Bureau of Reclamation is investing $13.3 million in 51 external applied science projects in 12 states that will develop tools and information to support water management. The projects selected include the development of modeling and forecasting tools, hydrologic data platforms and new data sets to inform decision-making. Read More →
Reclamation provides $1.8 million for comprehensive water study in American Samoa
The Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the American Samoa Power Authority, is making $1.8 million available to conduct a basin study on the American Samoa island Tutuila. American Samoa is facing challenges related to climate change, water distribution system losses, and reliance on freshwater aquifers, which are susceptible to saltwater intrusion. Read More →
Biden-Harris Administration Announces More Than $51 Million from the President’s Investing in America Agenda to Restore and Protect Rivers and Watersheds
The Department of the Interior today announced more than $51 million in funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for 18 projects in eight states that will restore and protect aquatic ecosystems. Read More →
Open Funding Opportunities
FY23 Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding opportunity. Current round of applications are due September 3, 2024.
FY23/24 Title XVI WIIN Act Projects funding opportunity. Applications for FY24 are due September 30, 2024.
FY23/24 Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Projects funding opportunity. Applications for FY24 are due September 30, 2024.
FY23/24 WIIN Act Desalination Construction Projects funding opportunity. Applications for FY24 are due September 30, 2024.
FY24 Water and Energy Efficiency Grants funding opportunity. Applications are due November 13, 2024.
Funding Opportunity Calendar
Click here to view a detailed status of all current and upcoming WaterSMART funding opportunities.
All grant applications are submitted through Grants.gov. For more information on how to submit a grant application, visit Application Resources.
WaterSMART Dashboard
WaterSMART Data Visualization
Weather- and Soil Moisture-Based Landscape Irrigation Scheduling Devices
Weather- and Soil Moisture-Based Landscape Irrigation Scheduling - Review Report
Weather-Based Devices - Summary
Soil Moisture-Based Devices - Summary