Skip to main content
Millsite Reservoir in Utah

Watershed Programs - Utah

NRCS Watershed Programs provide technical and financial assistance to address flood control, erosion, water quality, and infrastructure needs. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) watershed programs aim to help communities, farmers, ranchers, and local governments manage, protect, and restore watersheds. By partnering with local government agencies, tribal organizations and other eligible sponsors, NRCS works to address watershed resource concerns and strengthen community resilience through dam design and construction, water storage structures, flood management systems, streambank stabilization, wildlife habitat re-establishment, and more. 

 

 

Watershed Programs and Initiatives

Emergency Watershed Protection
Neil Hanson Emergency Watershed Protection Flood Plain Easement located east of Bowesmont, in the Red River basin of ND, Wednesday May 1, 2013. To learn about the Red River Basin Initiative, see <a href="http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/news/features13/RRBI.html" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/news/features13/RRBI.html</a>. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program is focused on reduction of hazards to life and property caused by sudden natural disasters and can involve technical and/or financial assistance. Threats that the EWP addresses are called watershed impairments. These include, but are not limited to: 

  • Debris-clogged waterways.
  • Unstable streambanks. 
  • Severe erosion jeopardizing public infrastructure. 
  • Wind-borne debris removal. 
  • Damaged upland sites stripped of protective vegetation by fire or drought. 

Project funds address erosion and flooding related watershed impairments by supporting activities such as removing debris from stream channels, reshaping and protecting eroded banks, and reseeding damaged areas.

Learn more about the EWP program by visiting the national program page.

Watershed Rehabilitation
Auxiliary spillway at Millsite Dam in Utah.

The Watershed REHAB program provides assistance to local project sponsors to:

  • Rehabilitate aging dams that are reaching the end of their design lives; and/or
  • Build or augment existing water supplies based on current and future water supply demands.

These rehabilitation efforts, authorized by Public Law 83-566 and 78-534, address critical public health and safety concerns should a dam failure occur. 

Visit the national program page for more information.

Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations
110605-A-6297J-014: DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. - Soldiers of 211th Engineering Company of the South Dakota Army National Guard receive a load of sandbags as they work to complete an area of the primary levee being constructed here, June 5, 2011. The unit, based out of Madison, is providing critical support to flood prevention operations as the Missouri River level continues to rise. (SDNG Photo by Sgt. Charlie Jacobson) (RELEASED)

The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (WFPO) program provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments and Tribal organizations to help plan and implement authorized watershed projects for the purpose of:

  • Flood Prevention
  • Watershed Protection
  • Public Recreation
  • Public Fish and Wildlife
  • Agricultural Water Management
  • Municipal and Industrial Water Supply
  • Water Quality Management

Watershed conservation projects are planned and carried out jointly by local, state, and federal agencies with the support of community landowners and citizens in the watershed. Communities identify resource problems to be addressed, practices to be installed, and carry out major portions of a watershed plan, such as obtaining easements, rights of ways, permits and local cost-share funding. 

All Watershed Program projects must have a local sponsor that can act as the fiscal agent, provide project management and oversight throughout the different phases of construction, implementation, and project lifespan.

Explore an interactive map to find current project information.

View a list of current WFPO projects in Utah.

Visit the national program page for more information.

Preliminary Investigation Findings Report (PIFR)
Millsite Dam

Eligible project sponsors initiate a request for assistance thru the NRCS Utah State Office to develop a PIFR, which helps communities consider sustainable solutions to address watershed resource concerns. 

The purpose of the Preliminary Investigation Findings Report (PIFR) is to provide reasonable assurance that a feasible plan can be developed that addresses resource concerns in a watershed under one or more Public Law 83-566 authorized purpose, and that there are no apparent insurmountable obstacles. The PIFR is the justification document for the State Conservationist (STC) to request Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) funding.

Once authorized, project sponsors gain access to NRCS's financial and technical resources to help implement their plan. An approved watershed plan must be in place prior to initiation of any corrective land treatment or structural solutions. Project sponsors then help landowners carry out the authorized watershed conservation measures.

Upcoming Deadlines:

Due to funding constraints, NRCS Utah will not be accepting PIFR applications in 2025. Please check this page in early 2026 for updates.

Learn more about the PIFR process.

Contact Anders Fillerup, Assistance State Conservationist - Water Resources for more information at anders.fillerup@usda.gov.

View current WFPO projects in Utah.

Updated: February 2025

Ammon Boswell

Watershed Program Manager

Ready to get started?

Contact your local service center to start your application.

Find Your Local Service Center

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices.