WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program

The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program funding opportunity invites eligible entities to apply for funding to develop local solutions to address their water management needs. This opportunity provides funding for watershed group development, restoration planning, and watershed management project planning and design. By providing this funding, Reclamation promotes water reliability and cooperation between stakeholders to reduce conflict, facilitate solutions to complex water issues, and stretch limited water supplies.The WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program demonstrably advances Trump administration priorities, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14154 (January 20, 2025): Unleashing American Energy (E.O. 14154) and Secretarial Order 3418, and aligns with other priorities and requirements, such as those identified in Presidential Executive Order 14332 (August 7, 2025): Improving Oversight in Federal Grantmaking (E.O. 14332).

Eligible ApplicantsTo be eligible under this funding opportunity, you must be either an existing watershed group or sponsoring the establishment of a new watershed group as defined in the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see definition below) that is located in one of the following states or territories: 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, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. As defined in Section 6002 of the Cooperative Watershed Management Act (see "Legislative Authority" below for full citation), a "watershed group," is a grassroot, non-regulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the watershed and is capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources. A watershed group makes decisions on a consensus basis, and represents a diverse group of stakeholders, such as hydroelectric producers, livestock grazing, timber production, land development, recreation or tourism, irrigated agriculture, the environment, municipal water supplies, private property owners, Federal, state and local governments, and Tribes. New Watershed Groups: You must be a state, Tribe, local or special district (e.g., irrigation, water district, water conservation district), local governmental entity, interstate organization, a non-profit organization, or an institute of higher education sponsoring a watershed group located in a state or territory identified above. In addition, you must meet all the following requirements:Be sponsoring the development of a new watershed group;Be able to significantly affect or be affected by the quality or quantity of water in the watershed; andBe capable of promoting the sustainable use of water resources. Existing Watershed Groups: Your watershed group must:Meet the definition of a watershed group as described under the Cooperative Watershed Management Act,Be located in a state or territory identified above; andBe legally incorporated as a non-profit organization. A watershed group member or fiscal agent may apply on behalf of the watershed group if they are a state, tribe, local or special district (e.g., irrigation, water district, water conservation district), local governmental entity, interstate organization, or a non-profit organization. Applicant Category GuidanceIn general, you should apply as a New Watershed Group if your group is just getting started, has completed little or no watershed restoration planning, and requires more substantial support for building the capacity of the watershed group and completing outreach to stakeholders. If your group has been active in the watershed for several years and has previously conducted some watershed planning, you should apply as an Existing Watershed Group, even if your group is not incorporated as a legal entity. If you have previously received funding through a CWMP grant, you should apply as an Existing Watershed Group and explain how your new project differs from and builds on your past Phase I project(s). Although New and Existing Watershed Groups will be scored using the same evaluation criteria (see Section E.1. Evaluation Criteria), they will be ranked separately to ensure fairness. During the merit review of the application, Reclamation may change your applicant category (for example, from an existing watershed group to a new watershed group), if appropriate. Ineligible ApplicantsThose not eligible to apply include, but are not limited to, the following:Federal Governmental entitiesIndividuals