Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program FY 2026

The Bureau of Reclamation's Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program aims to improve water supply forecasts by enhancing snow monitoring using emerging technologies. This program invites proposals from eligible applicants to conduct aerial LiDAR snow surveys to improve water supply forecasting. Strong applications should include partnerships with water management and forecasting agencies to share knowledge, use data in forecasts, and assess the usefulness of information for water management decisions. • Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, independent school districts, public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities, and nonprofits. • The program will fund projects that deploy aerial LiDAR snow surveys to support water supply forecasting, with at least 80% of the request for federal funding going towards these surveys. • Applicants should provide a detailed project proposal, including a technical approach, work plan, and budget narrative. • The program encourages cost sharing, but it is not required.