Biden Administration Unveils Ambitious $849 Million Investment in Western Water Projects

The U.S. Department of the Interior has allocated $849 million to enhance water infrastructure across 11 Western states, a significant move announced this week. Among this funding, $118.3 million will support 14 projects in the Colorado River Basin, where ongoing negotiations are critical ahead of the 2026 expiration of current operating guidelines.

This funding is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Aging Infrastructure Account, which was bolstered by $3 billion from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The account is dedicated to upgrading existing water storage systems, hydropower generation, and treatment facilities.

Laura Daniel-Davis, acting deputy secretary of the Interior Department, highlighted the importance of the funding, stating, “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda provides transformational resources to safeguard clean, reliable water for families, farmers, and Tribes.” As droughts and climate challenges intensify in the Colorado River Basin, these investments aim to conserve water supplies and modernize delivery systems.

Water from the Colorado River sustains over 40 million people and irrigates approximately 15% of U.S. agricultural land. A severe megadrought, exacerbated by climate change, has persisted since 2000, leading to significantly reduced water flows and posing challenges to historical water allocation agreements.

The Bureau of Reclamation implemented interim guidelines in 2007 to manage the river’s water amid these shortages, but these guidelines are set to expire in 2026. The agency has proposed five alternatives for future management, but the final decision will ultimately rest with the incoming administration.

The latest funding also allocates nearly $41 million for significant improvements related to the Glen Canyon Dam and power plant, addressing urgent maintenance needs in Yuma’s water system.

The designated projects for Arizona include:

• **Glen Canyon Station Service Equipment Replacement** – $20.2 million for planning and design to replace station service transformers and switchgears.
• **Glen Canyon Power Plant Cranes Replacement** – $8.1 million to refurbish cranes with new components to meet safety regulations.
• **High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipe Replacement** – $6.5 million for replacing faulty drainage system pipes in Yuma County.
• **Yuma Area Office Utilities Replacement** – $3.6 million to upgrade mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• **Glen Canyon Fire Alarm Systems Modernization** – $2.6 million for installing a fire alarm system compliant with all safety codes.

U.S. Senator-elect Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Phoenix, expressed pride in securing funding for critical infrastructure improvements, stating, “I’m fighting to ensure Arizona has the resources needed to secure our water and energy future for the foreseeable future.”

Other Western states also received funding for various infrastructure needs, including:

• $204 million for repairs to the Delta–Mendota Canal in California.
• $143 million for reconfiguring Rio Grande infrastructure in New Mexico.
• Over $27 million for water infrastructure upgrades on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota.
• $37.2 million for replacing critical siphons in northern Montana.

A complete list of the 77 newly funded projects can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation’s website. Roque Sánchez, Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, reaffirmed the commitment to utilizing Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to ensure the sustainability of water infrastructure for future generations.