Summary
The Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025 would extend and update a Bureau of Reclamation program that helps predict water availability in western states by measuring snowpack. Currently, the program uses snowpack measurements to forecast water supplies, but this bill would require the program to incorporate advanced technologies that provide more accurate, timely, and complete snowpack data and modeling to improve these forecasts.
The bill would modernize how water supply forecasts are made by emphasizing real-time integration of measurement and modeling technologies. This means water managers would have access to more current and responsive information about snow and water conditions as weather and watershed conditions change. The program would focus on deploying these advanced technologies in river basins where the data would directly inform water management decisions that affect water availability and allocation.
For everyday citizens, this would mean more reliable and responsive water supply forecasts for western communities that depend on snowmelt for drinking water, agriculture, and other uses. Better forecasting could help water managers make more informed decisions about water allocation and conservation during droughts or periods of water scarcity. The bill would also support building capacity among program partners to implement and adapt to these new measurement and forecasting capabilities.
The bill passed the House and is currently in committee in the Senate, where the Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held hearings in March 2026. It would need to pass the Senate and be signed into law to take effect.
AI-generated summary
Lifecycle of the Bill
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
Mar 17, 2026
HearingSenateMeeting
Mar 17, 2026 · 10:00
Hearings to examine S.1034, to establish the Southwestern Power Administration Fund, S.1242, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out watershed pilots, S.2437 and H.R.3857, bills to amend the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act, S.2753, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to authorize certain extraordinary operation and maintenance work for urban canals of concern, S.3409, to reaffirm that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel, ensuring long-term conservation of the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native aquatic species in the Yellowstone River while protecting the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project and District from undue financial and operational burdens, S.3500, to amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to annually submit to Congress a report on the status of ongoing hydropower relicensing applications, S.3518, to amend the Federal Power Act to address certain alterations in, and the maintenance and repair of, project works, to provide for the licensing of micro hydrokinetic energy projects, S.3635, to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000, S.3684, to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reauthorize water power research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, S.3693, to extend the authorization for a large-scale water recycling and reuse grant program, S.3723, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System, S.3725, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water to expand the capacity and reach of the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, Inc. (doing business as "Lewis & Clark Regional Water System"), in the States of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, S.3732, to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to authorize assistance under the storage program, S.3736, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water to the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System service area in the States of South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota, S.3737, to amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible entities for the conduct of innovative approaches to voluntary water partnership agreements among multiple water users and projects conducted by individual agricultural entities, S.3738, to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the large-scale water recycling and reuse program, to establish a Water Conveyance Improvement Program, S.3743, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam, S.3792, to provide for the establishment of a Water Project Navigators Program, S.4040, to amend Public Law 89-108 to modify the authorization of appropriations for State and Tribal, municipal, rural, and industrial water supplies, and S.4041, to reauthorize the Cooperative Watershed Management Program.
Committee
Water and PowerSummary
On March 17, 2026, the Senate Subcommittee on Water and Power held a legislative hearing to consider a broad package of 22 bills aimed at modernizing water management and energy infrastructure. The legislation covers a wide range of initiatives, including the reauthorization of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, the establishment of a new fund for the Southwestern Power Administration, and the creation of the GROW SMART Act to provide financial assistance for voluntary water partnership agreements. Several bills also focus on improving snow water supply forecasting and expanding large-scale water recycling programs to combat persistent drought conditions. Other key proposals discussed include feasibility studies for major water supply projects in the Dakotas, Iowa, and Minnesota, as well as a study for a selective water withdrawal system at the Glen Canyon Dam. The committee also reviewed bills intended to increase transparency in the hydropower relicensing process and to support the maintenance of urban canals. These measures collectively represent an effort to address aging infrastructure, enhance water security for rural and tribal communities, and promote research into water power technologies. While the hearing provided a platform for senators to discuss the technical and financial requirements of these projects, no specific witness testimony was recorded in the initial proceedings. The discussion centered on balancing the needs of agricultural entities with environmental conservation, such as protecting the endangered pallid sturgeon in the Yellowstone River. This hearing serves as a preliminary step in the legislative process; the committee must now decide whether to amend these bills or vote to report them to the full Senate for further consideration.
Video
Watch videoCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
Mar 17, 2026
HearingSenateMeeting
Mar 17, 2026 · 10:00
Hearings to examine S.1034, to establish the Southwestern Power Administration Fund, S.1242, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to carry out watershed pilots, S.2437 and H.R.3857, bills to amend the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act, S.2753, to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to authorize certain extraordinary operation and maintenance work for urban canals of concern, S.3409, to reaffirm that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel, ensuring long-term conservation of the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native aquatic species in the Yellowstone River while protecting the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project and District from undue financial and operational burdens, S.3500, to amend the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to annually submit to Congress a report on the status of ongoing hydropower relicensing applications, S.3518, to amend the Federal Power Act to address certain alterations in, and the maintenance and repair of, project works, to provide for the licensing of micro hydrokinetic energy projects, S.3635, to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000, S.3684, to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reauthorize water power research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities, S.3693, to extend the authorization for a large-scale water recycling and reuse grant program, S.3723, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to the Western Dakota Regional Water System, S.3725, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water to expand the capacity and reach of the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, Inc. (doing business as "Lewis & Clark Regional Water System"), in the States of Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota, S.3732, to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to authorize assistance under the storage program, S.3736, to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water to the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System service area in the States of South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota, S.3737, to amend the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible entities for the conduct of innovative approaches to voluntary water partnership agreements among multiple water users and projects conducted by individual agricultural entities, S.3738, to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the large-scale water recycling and reuse program, to establish a Water Conveyance Improvement Program, S.3743, to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam, S.3792, to provide for the establishment of a Water Project Navigators Program, S.4040, to amend Public Law 89-108 to modify the authorization of appropriations for State and Tribal, municipal, rural, and industrial water supplies, and S.4041, to reauthorize the Cooperative Watershed Management Program.
Committee
Water and PowerSummary
On March 17, 2026, the Senate Subcommittee on Water and Power held a legislative hearing to consider a broad package of 22 bills aimed at modernizing water management and energy infrastructure. The legislation covers a wide range of initiatives, including the reauthorization of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, the establishment of a new fund for the Southwestern Power Administration, and the creation of the GROW SMART Act to provide financial assistance for voluntary water partnership agreements. Several bills also focus on improving snow water supply forecasting and expanding large-scale water recycling programs to combat persistent drought conditions. Other key proposals discussed include feasibility studies for major water supply projects in the Dakotas, Iowa, and Minnesota, as well as a study for a selective water withdrawal system at the Glen Canyon Dam. The committee also reviewed bills intended to increase transparency in the hydropower relicensing process and to support the maintenance of urban canals. These measures collectively represent an effort to address aging infrastructure, enhance water security for rural and tribal communities, and promote research into water power technologies. While the hearing provided a platform for senators to discuss the technical and financial requirements of these projects, no specific witness testimony was recorded in the initial proceedings. The discussion centered on balancing the needs of agricultural entities with environmental conservation, such as protecting the endangered pallid sturgeon in the Yellowstone River. This hearing serves as a preliminary step in the legislative process; the committee must now decide whether to amend these bills or vote to report them to the full Senate for further consideration.
Video
Watch videoCongress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jun 10, 2025
