The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded totaling $2 million to ten projects to establish or expand water markets or water marketing activities. When non-federal cost-share contributions are included, these projects will accomplish more than $4.6 million in water marketing planning activities.
The awards will go to projects from a diverse range of entities, including irrigation and water districts, states, tribes, cities and counties, and other districts with water delivery authority. The entities are located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Oregon, and Utah.
"It is always a good day when Reclamation can combine funding and resources with those of local water partners to achieve a common goal," said Avra Morgan, Program Coordinator for Water Marketing. "Water marketing strategies empower communities by helping water managers meet demands efficiently in times of shortage, which ultimately helps prevent water conflicts."
Water markets support the President's memorandum on Promoting the Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the West. Water marketing refers to water rights transactions and includes the lease, sale or exchange of water rights undertaken in accordance with state and federal laws between willing buyers and sellers. Learn more at: https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/watermarketing/index.html.
Through WaterSMART, Reclamation works 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 attention to local water conflicts. Visit https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart for additional information about the program.
The selected projects are:
- Central Arizona Water Clearinghouse (Arizona) -- Reclamation funding: $200,000; Non-federal funding: $442,680
- Voluntary Seasonal Fallowing Water Conservation Project (Arizona) -- Reclamation funding: $54,089; Non-federal funding: $54,089
- Water Marketing Strategy for the Colorado River Indian Reservation (Arizona) -- Reclamation funding: $184,250; Non-federal funding: $210,890
- Kaweah Sub-basin Water Marketing Strategy (California) -- Reclamation funding: $400,000; Non-federal funding: $432,000
- Mojave Water Agency Long-Term Water Management/Water Banking Program (California) -- Reclamation funding: $200,000; Non-federal funding: $400,000
- Western Slope Demand Management Water Marketing Strategy Evaluation (Colorado) -- Reclamation funding: $315,721; Non-federal funding: $361,344
- Water Marketing Strategy for Garden City and Finney County (Kansas) -- Reclamation funding: $139,900; Non-federal funding: $139,900
- Harney Basin Groundwater Marketing Development Evaluation (Oregon) -- Reclamation funding: $50,000; Non-federal funding: $55,000
- McLennan County Water Marketing Strategy Groundwater Replenishment Credits and Groundwater Augmentation Rate (Texas) -- Reclamation funding: $75,000; Non-federal funding: $82,500
- Utah Statewide Water Marketing Development Strategy (Utah) -- Reclamation funding: $400,000; Non-federal funding: $438,252
