Bureau of Reclamation's Water Contract Status Report
Published Date: 3/5/2026
Notice
Summary
This report shares updates on water contracts managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, affecting farmers, cities, and businesses that rely on project water. It highlights new, ended, or ongoing contract changes that impact water delivery and payments, helping everyone stay in the loop about water use and costs. Expect updates on contract deadlines and money matters that keep water flowing smoothly through 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.
Quarterly water contract updates published
The Bureau of Reclamation published its quarterly status report listing proposed, new, discontinued, and completed water service, repayment, and other water-related contract actions. The notice informs farmers, cities, and businesses that rely on project water about contract changes, deadlines, and money matters through 2026.
1,100 AFY Colorado River water assignment
A proposed assignment would transfer 1,100 acre-feet per year (AFY) of Arizona fourth-priority Colorado River water entitlement from Beattie Farms Southwest to the Hualapai Tribe under contract No. 05-XX030-W0446. This is listed as a new contract action in the Lower Colorado Basin region.
Reimbursable spillway repair repayment
Reclamation entered a repayment contract under the Safety of Dams Act with the South Cache Water Users Association to cover the reimbursable portion of costs to repair the spillway at Hyrum Dam; this contract was completed on April 17, 2025. The contract allocates reimbursable repair costs to the association.
Irrigation water converted to miscellaneous uses
Water users on the Strawberry Valley Project requested and completed a conversion contract under the Sale of Water for Miscellaneous Purposes Act to convert project irrigation water to miscellaneous purposes; this was completed on September 18, 2025. The change converts irrigation entitlements to other authorized uses.
Multi-year wheeling agreements completed
Reclamation completed negotiation of multi-year long-term 'wheeling' agreements with the State of California Department of Water Resources to convey and deliver Central Valley Project (CVP) water through State facilities to Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (Musco Family Olive Company) and Del Puerto Water District. This appears as a completed contract action in the California-Great Basin region.
CAP water lease for calendar year 2025
A Central Arizona Project (CAP) water lease was completed for calendar year 2025 involving the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The notice lists this as a completed contract action in the Lower Colorado Basin region.
Short-term surplus water sales skip public notice
The notice states that the public participation procedures do not apply to proposed contracts for the sale of surplus or interim irrigation water for a term of 1 year or less. That means short-term (≤1 year) surplus water sales may proceed without the full public participation process described in the notice.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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