- $250 million allocated to Colorado’s Arkansas Valley Conduit Project.
- $125 million for California’s B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Expansion Project.
- $129 million for California’s Sites Reservoir Project.
- Projects will enhance water access, safety, and storage.
- Funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
January 9, 2025 — The Department of the Interior announced yesterday a $514 million investment
as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that will bring clean, reliable drinking water to communities across the West through five water storage and conveyance projects in Colorado, California, Idaho and Washington. Three of those projects are in the Colorado River Basin states.
Colorado: Arkansas Valley Conduit Project.
The Arkansas Valley Conduit Project in Colorado received a substantial boost with $250 million in new funding. This vital project aims to deliver up to 7,500 acre-feet of water annually to 50,000 residents across 39 rural communities along the Arkansas River. The new pipeline will span 121 miles, replacing groundwater sources contaminated with radionuclides.
Work is already underway, with three major contracts awarded and nearly 10 miles of pipeline installed. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton highlighted the project’s impact, stating, “We are again investing in this important project to bring safe drinking water to an estimated 50,000 people in 39 rural communities.”
Once complete, the conduit will ensure these communities have access to clean and reliable drinking water, addressing compliance with drinking water standards and bolstering regional water security.
California: B.F. Sisk and Sites Reservoir Projects.
California is also set to benefit from significant investments that enhance its water storage capabilities.
The B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project received $125 million. This initiative will add approximately 130,000 acre-feet of storage, providing additional water for contractors and wildlife refuges. The project complements ongoing safety upgrades to the dam and involves collaboration with the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority.
Further north, the Sites Reservoir Project was granted $129 million. This off-stream storage project will create up to 1.5 million acre-feet of new water storage for the Sacramento River system. By utilizing both new and existing infrastructure, the reservoir will supply water to support ecosystems, including cold water releases for salmon, while bolstering regional water availability during dry years.
Broader Impact.
These projects are part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which funds critical water infrastructure to combat drought and climate change. Since the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, nearly $5.3 billion has been allocated to over 670 projects across the West, including $514 million announced yesterday.
As Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland emphasized, “The investments we’re announcing…will continue to fund these important efforts, expediting essential water storage projects and providing increased water security to Western communities.”
Image via BLM News Release: “The Bureau of Reclamation announced $514 million for storage and conveyance projects in the West, including $250 million for the Arkansas Valley Conduit Project.”
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