Biden Administration Unveils $849 Million Boost for Western Water Projects

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced a significant investment of $849 million aimed at repairing and enhancing water infrastructure across 11 Western states. This funding is critical as federal officials evaluate the future management of the Colorado River, particularly as existing operating guidelines will expire in 2026.

Among the total funding, $118.3 million has been allocated specifically for 14 projects within the Colorado River Basin. These resources originate from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Aging Infrastructure Account, bolstered by a $3 billion infusion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in 2021. This initiative focuses on upgrading existing water storage systems, hydropower generation facilities, and treatment plants.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda provides transformational resources to safeguard clean, reliable water for families, farmers, and Tribes,” stated Laura Daniel-Davis, the acting deputy secretary of the Interior Department. She emphasized that these investments are crucial for addressing severe drought conditions exacerbated by climate change in the Colorado River Basin.

The Colorado River is vital, supplying water to over 40 million people and irrigating about 15% of U.S. agricultural land. Since 2000, the region has been experiencing a megadrought, recognized as the worst in 1,200 years, which has significantly reduced water flows. The current management framework, established in 2007, is set to expire soon, prompting urgent discussions among stakeholders.

Funding details highlight several key projects. For instance, $34 million will be allocated for improvements to the Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County, which includes refurbishing equipment at the Blue Mesa Dam’s hydropower plant. Other allocations include $20 million for the Mt. Elbert Forebay and safety upgrades for the Upper Molina Power Plant worth $3 million.

“Our water is too precious to waste on outdated infrastructure,” remarked U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper of Colorado. He stressed the importance of these updates for enhancing water conservation and resilience to ongoing drought challenges.

Additional projects receiving funding include:

• $204 million to address subsidence issues linked to the Delta–Mendota Canal in California’s Central Valley.
• $143 million for reconfigurations on the Rio Grande in New Mexico.
• $28.3 million for refurbishing the Glen Canyon Dam’s hydropower station in Arizona.
• Over $27 million for replacing water infrastructure on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota.
• $37.2 million for replacing critical siphons in northern Montana.

For a complete list of the 77 projects funded, interested parties can visit the Bureau of Reclamation’s website. Deputy Commissioner Roque Sánchez reiterated the commitment to leveraging these investments to enhance infrastructure sustainability in the West, benefiting families, farms, and Tribal communities alike.