This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Reclamation supports stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water in the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. Reclamation invites sponsors of small surface water and groundwater storage projects to request cost-shared funding for the planning, design, and/or construction of those projects.

Objectives

• The Small Storage Program's objective is to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations by funding small surface water and groundwater storage projects. The program funds projects between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet that will increase water storage or move water to or from a storage project. To be eligible, proposals must:
  • Have water storage capacity between 200 acre-feet and 30,000 acre-feet;
  • Increase yield to identified beneficiaries;
  • Increase surface water or groundwater storage, or convey water to or from surface water or groundwater storage;
  • Submit a small storage feasibility study to Reclamation for review by February 13, 2026.

Goals

• The Small Storage Program's objective is to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations by providing up to a 25% Federal cost-share in small surface water and groundwater storage projects. The Department recognizes the need for additional water storage to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water. The Department, consistent with the statutory requirements, prioritizes projects that increase reliability, flexibility, and water quality; that reduce the need to mitigate for environmental impacts; that are regional in nature; and that have multiple stakeholders. Reclamation will evaluate proposals for their contributions to water supply reliability, water management flexibility, rural communities, stakeholder support, and economic benefits.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $43,500,000
• Award Ceiling: $30,000,000

Eligible Projects

• Water storage projects are an important part of Reclamation and the Department’s priorities. The Secretary of the Interior gives priority to proposals that meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • Projects that will provide a more reliable water supply for States, Indian Tribes, and local governments.
  • Projects that will increase water management flexibility and reduce impacts on environmental resources from projects operated by Federal and State agencies.
  • Projects that are regional in nature.
  • Projects with multiple stakeholders.
  • Projects that will provide multiple benefits, including water supply reliability, ecosystem benefits, groundwater management and enhancements, and water quality improvements.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible recipients of the Small Storage Program funding are identified under the 1902 Act. They must be located in the 17 western United States (Reclamation State) as identified in the Reclamation Act of 1902, as amended or Alaska or Hawaii. Eligible recipients include:
  • State, regional, or local water authorities;
  • Indian tribes or tribal organizations;
  • Other entities such as a water conservation or conservancy district, wastewater district, rural water district.
• Eligible Applicants:
  • State Governments
  • County Governments
  • City or township governments
  • Special district governments
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
  • Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

For more information, visit Grants.gov.

https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360059