News Release Archive

Reclamation designates $6.2 million for innovative water and power management solutions

Media Contact: Peter Soeth, 303.910.7473, psoeth@usbr.gov

For Release: October 13, 2020

The Science and Technology Program supports the better management of Reclamation facilities and operations.WASHINGTON - The Bureau of Reclamation provided $2.2 million to support new internal research projects that will assist Reclamation water and power facility managers, as well as its customers and stakeholders better manage their facilities and operations. Reclamation is also providing $4 million to 134 multi-year projects that are continuing into fiscal year 2021.

"Reclamation staff have cutting edge engineering skills honed over years of work in addressing water and power challenges in meeting our mission to provide reliable water and power," Research and Development Program Manager Levi Brekke said. "These exceptional professionals work with partners to develop solutions to scientific and technical challenges in meeting our mission."

This internal research supports the President's Memorandum on Promoting the Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the West through improved use of technology to increase water reliability and improve water availability.

The selected projects cover five research areas: water infrastructure, power and energy, environmental issues for water delivery and management, water operations and planning, and water supply development. The projects include innovative invasive mussel detection and control technologies, Salton Sea dust mitigation technologies, improving snowmelt modeling to support better runoff forecasts, evaluating wind impacts on water quality in reservoirs used for water reuse, identifying sediment impacts on river restoration habitat features, optimizing turbine operation and maintenance, and testing new canal seepage reduction technologies.

The research projects were selected through an internal competitive process. Many of these projects partner with internal and external organizations. Partners include technical professionals from federal and state governments, tribes, universities, private and local organizations. The partners will provide $2.3 million in cost-share for the new projects and $5.9 million in cost-share for the continuing projects.

View a summary of each project or learn more about Reclamation's Science and Technology Program at https://www.usbr.gov/research/st/index.html.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Fiscal Year 2021 Science and Technology Project Descriptions