WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects

To provide cost-shared funding for the planning, design, and construction of projects that benefit water resource management for multiple uses, including water conservation and efficiency projects, water infrastructure improvements, river and watershed restoration, and nature-based solutions projects. Projects that balance numerous community interests (agriculture, recreation, fisheries, power, etc.), were developed collaboratively, and provide significant watershed benefits will be prioritized under this funding opportunity.

State governments County governments City or township governments Special district governments Native American Tribal governments Non-profit conservation organizations acting in partnership with an entity with water or power delivery authority Watershed Groups acting in partnership with an entity with water or power delivery authority In accordance with various authorities, eligible applicants include States, Tribes, irrigation districts, or water districts, and other entities with water or power delivery authority. Nonprofit conservation organizations and watershed groups are also eligible to apply if they are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of an entity described above. Applicants must also be located in the western U.S. or Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended and supplemented; specifically, in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Specific evaluation criteria will be included in the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on www.grants.gov. All applications will be evaluated using criteria that give priority based on the diversity and scope of the watershed group, need for project and project benefits, prior planning that supports the project, the applicant's ability and readiness to implement the project, and Presidential and Department of the Interior priorities.

The Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out under this Program shall not exceed 75% of the total cost of the project or activity. Note: this cost-sharing requirement may not be applicable to American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Virgin Islands. Please review individual funding opportunities for specific information.

Fiscal year 2025: Reclamation provided funding to a watershed group to upgrade critical water infrastructure at a high-altitude dam alpine lake in western Montana. By upgrading the outlet gate and automating monitoring and control systems, the watershed group will ensure efficient and reliable instream flows during the summer months, supporting the fishery and downstream agricultural operations. Fiscal year 2026: Reclamation provided funding to a nonprofit conservation group to restore 3,300 linear feet of instream and riparian habitat by incorporating boulder riffles, engineered log jams, and other structures within the stream channel, stabile erosive streambanks, and regrade and replant the floodplain.