Overview
The Water Resources Development Program helps Oregonians address instream and out-of-stream water supply needs now and into the future. The Program includes funding opportunities and other resources through three program components: Planning Grants, Feasibility Study Grants, and Water Project Grants and Loans.
Updates & Announcements
Water Project Grants and Loans
New - Application deadline extended to May 28, 2020
The Oregon Water Resources Department is extending the application deadline for Water Project Grants and Loans, as we understand COVID-19 has been disruptive to many potential applicants' operations and may prevent them from submitting applications. The Department is still offering pre-application conferences, but all will be held as conference calls. Please feel free to contact the Grant Program Coordinator with any related questions.
The Department invites applications for instream and out-of-stream water supply projects through the Water Project Grants and Loans funding opportunity. The Department has approximately $22.7 million available for the 2020 and 2021 funding cycles.
2020 Water Projects Grants and Loans applications due by 5:00 p.m. on May 28, 2020.
Learn more about applying for Water Project Grants and Loans.
Feasibility Study Grants
Feasibility Study Grants – 2020 Deadline: The application deadline for the 2020 Feasibility Study Grant funding opportunity is October 15, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Learn more about Feasibility Study Grants
Public Comment Opportunity
The Oregon Water Resources Department invites written public comment on applications received for Feasibility Study Grants. The Department received nine complete applications requesting $1,455,069 in grant funding. A multi-agency team reviewed each application and made funding recommendations. After reviewing public comments, the Department will make funding recommendations for consideration and approval by the Water Resources Commission. The tentative date for the Commission to make its funding decision is at the June 2020 meeting.
Written comments on the applications and funding recommendations will be accepted until 5:00pm, April 29, 2020. Submit all written comments to Feasibility Study Grants at WRD_DL_feasibilitystudygrants@oregon.gov.
View the Feasibility Study Grant Application Evaluation Summaries - March 2020
View 2019-20 Feasibility Study Grant Funding Recommendation and Public Comment Instructions
Planning Grants
The Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts. he Department is a funding partner in four places that are taking a collaborative, integrated approach to water planning. There is no funding currently available to support new water planning efforts.
Feasibility Study Grants
Feasibility Study Grants reimburse up to 50 percent of the costs of studies to evaluate the feasibility of developing water conservation, reuse, and storage projects. This competitive funding opportunity helps individuals and communities investigate whether a proposed project idea is actually feasible and worth pursuing. Grants are offered on an annual basis, with applications due each fall. As of August 1, 2018 $2.5 million is available for grants.
Learn more about Feasibility Study Grants
Water Project Grants & Loans
Water Project Grants and Loans provides funding for projects that will help Oregon meet its instream and out-of-stream water supply needs and produce economic, environmental, and social/cultural benefits. This competitive funding opportunity is meant for implementation-ready projects. Grants and loans are offered on an annual basis, with the applications due each spring. As of December 2019, approximately $22.7 million is available for grants or loans for the 2020 and 2021 funding cycles.
New - 2020 Water Projects Grants and Loans application deadline is extended to 5:00 p.m. on May 28, 2020.
Learn more about applying for Water Project Grants and Loans.