This work supports a public purpose, as the general public, inclusive of state governments and water use organizations, are the direct recipients of water and power production from the colorado…

Utah State University received a $158,827.49 Project Grant from the Bureau of Reclamation under the SECURE Water Act – Research Agreements program (CFDA 15.560), effective October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2030. This award supports research activities designed to inform water resource management decisions in the Colorado River Basin, with emphasis on understanding water consumptive use (loss) and managing drought conditions. The research outputs will directly impact water flows, dam operations, and power plant production across the basin, benefiting state governments, water use organizations, and the general public. State representatives through the Upper Colorado River Commission will utilize the research data to guide future water management policies and operational decisions.

The project leverages USU's established expertise in water resource research and management support, consistent with the university's track record of delivering water quality analysis, hydrologic modeling, and technical services to federal water management agencies. Research deliverables under this award will likely include technical reports, data analysis, and management decision support tools that advance water resource conservation and operational efficiency across the Colorado River Basin system.

This work supports a public purpose, as the general public, inclusive of state governments and water use organizations, are the direct recipients of water and power production from the colorado river basin. Management decisions based on water consumptive use (LOSS) research, and drought conditions will impact water flows, dams, and power plant production in the colorado river basin, having a direct impact on public users. The states are represented through the ucrc and will be directly impacted by water management decisions based on the research data this project will produce.