Water Conservation Field Services Program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reclamation's Mission?
What are the areas of emphasis of the WCFSP?
Who partners with Reclamation in water conservation projects?
What is Water Management Planning component of the WCFSP?
What is Conservation Education component of the WCFSP?
What is Demonstration of Innovative Technologies component of the WCFSP?
What is Implementation of Conservation Measures component of the WCFSP?
What are the benefits of Water Conservation Projects?
Where can I learn more about Reclamation?
Whom may I contact for more information?
Who is the Bureau of Reclamation?
Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is best known for the dams, power plants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states. These water projects led to homesteading and promoted the economic development of the West. Reclamation has constructed more than 600 dams and reservoirs including Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and Grand Coulee on the Columbia River.
Today, we are the second largest wholesaler of water in the country. We bring water to more than 31 million people, and provide one out of five Western farmers (140,000) with irrigation water for 10 million acres of farmland that produce 60% of the nation's vegetables and 25% of its fruits and nuts.
Reclamation is also the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States. Our 58 power plants annually provide more than 40 billion kilowatt hours generating nearly a billion dollars in power revenues and produce enough electricity to serve 6 million homes.
What is Reclamation's Mission?
Our mission is to assist in meeting the increasing water demands of the West while protecting the environment and the public's investment in these structures. We place great emphasis on fulfilling our water delivery obligations, water conservation, water recycling and reuse, and developing partnerships with our customers, states, and Indian Tribes, and in finding ways to bring together the variety of interests to address the competing needs for our limited water resources.
What is the WCFSP?
Water Conservation Field Services Program. In 1997, Reclamation created the Water Conservation field Services Program (WCFSP). The WCFSP is designed to: encourage water conservation; assist water agencies to develop and to implement effective water management and conservation plans; coordinate with state and other local conservation program efforts; and generally foster improved water management on a regional, statewide and watershed basis.
What are the areas of emphasis of the WCFSP?
Who partners with Reclamation in water conservation projects?
Reclamation partners with state and local conservation program efforts to improved water management on a regional, statewide and watershed basis. Entities that we have partnered with include irrigation districts, Indian communities, state and local governments, schools, and companies in industry. If you are interested in more information about our partners, or how your organization might partner with us, please contact the water conservation coordinator in your area by visiting the Water Conservation Directory.
What is Water Management Planning component of the WCFSP?
The WCFSP assists water agencies in the development of quality water conservation plans. In many cases, this is technical assistance provided by Reclamation staff. In others, it may be financial assistance through cost-sharing to support the district in development of its plan.
Typical activities include:
- Conduct field visits to assist with resource inventories and water conservation plans.
- Assist with planning surveys and designs, water budgets and investigations, studies, and evaluations.
- Facilitate planning among districts by encouraging and developing partnerships and agreements.
- Coordinate technical assistance through partnerships and agreements among organizations.
What is Conservation Education component of the WCFSP?
Reclamation utilizes the WCFSP to collect and disseminate information about water use and management.
Typical activities include:
- Conducting field tours.
- Distributing information guides and materials.
- Conducting workshops including an annual water management seminar.
- Providing on-the-ground educational services for general and specific activities.
- Arranging partnerships with governmental, state, and local educational organizations.
- Participating in water fairs and other children's education activities.
- Establishing and supporting Water Conservation Information Centers.
What is Demonstration of Innovative Technologies component of the WCFSP?
Area office programs are supporting local demonstration of projects such as improved water measurement, appropriate use of automation and telemetry control, new approaches to minimizing canal and ditch seepage, and innovative on-farm irrigation management methods.
Typical activities include:
- Assist with research, evaluation and demonstration.
- Sponsor specific conservation demonstration projects and activities.
- Coordinate financial assistance for joint projects and partnerships with other agencies.
What is Implementation of Conservation Measures component of the WCFSP?
The WCFSP provides technical help for water agencies to begin implementing conservation measures. Local programs also provide cost-sharing, generally on a 50-50 basis, through cooperative agreements or grants.
Typical activities include:
- Assist water agencies with implementing water conservation plans and water management practices.
- Provide funds for implementation through cost-sharing activities.
- Facilitate partnerships with other organizations to conduct implementation activities.
What are the benefits of Water Conservation Projects?
- Reduce Federal and water user costs.
- Improve reliability of existing water supplies.
- Postpone the need for new or expanded water supplies.
- Reduce the impacts of drought.
- Improve and protect surface and groundwater quality through the reduction of non-point and point sources of pollution.
- Improve the economics of water supply and use.
- Conserve energy.
- May provide a source of water to meet growing water needs for economic growth and human consumption.
- May improve in stream flows for fisheries, wildlife, riparian habitat, and recreation.
Where can I learn more about the Bureau of Reclamation?
Learn more about Reclamation at our web site: http://www.usbr.gov
Whom may I contact for more information?
You may locate the Regional Office or Area Office closest to you by linking to our location map.
Last Updated: 6/19/08