In a major step toward long-term water resilience in the American West, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation-partnering with the Upper Colorado River Commission-have announced significant progress in deploying a $50 million investment to enhance water infrastructure across the Upper Colorado River Basin. With critical support from the Upper Division States-Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming-the initiative is already delivering measurable results, from advanced streamgage deployments to high-tech monitoring towers, all aimed at improving water use accuracy and protecting the Colorado River system for future generations.
"This investment is already making a real impact," said Acting Assisting Secretary for Water and Science Scott Cameron. "By improving the accuracy of water use measurement, we're laying the foundation for better decision-making that ensures a sustainable Colorado River System for generations to come."
The Upper Division States of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming - through the Upper Colorado River Commission - have already implemented a range of projects, including:
- Installation of 10 Eddy Covariance towers to provide valuable data on how ecosystems are responding to drought and land management practices
- Deployment of 31 new streamgages to improve water measurement and delivery accuracy
- Establishment of Airborne Snow Observatory programs in Colorado and Wyoming
Over the next two years, the Upper Division States plan to build on this momentum by installing an additional eddy covariance tower, 32 streamgages, and 5 weather stations; and installing roughly 2,000 diversion measurements and initiating expanded evaporation studies.
"These investments provide the best-available science and data we need to continue to improve water use accountability and planning," said Upper Colorado River Commission Executive Director Chuck Cullom. "Accurate, real-time data allows the Upper Division States to meet our responsibilities under the Law of the River and enhance drought preparedness."
This funding complements broader Interior efforts to ensure water security and promote long-term sustainability in the Colorado River Basin, which supplies water to more than 40 million people, supports 5.5 million acres of farmland, 30 Tribal Nations, and two states in Mexico.
"This momentum reflects the strength of federal-state partnerships in tackling the West's most urgent water challenges," said Reclamation Acting Commissioner David Palumbo. "We remain committed to supporting our Basin partners as we plan for both immediate needs and the long-term future of the Colorado River."
This progress comes as the Department and Reclamation continue collaborating with basin states and Tribal Nations to develop Post-2026 Operating Guidelines-an essential framework for managing the Colorado River as current agreements expire. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected by the end of the year.
