U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for crucial water infrastructure across the western United States.

- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Summary

The Bureau of Reclamation, styled as USBR and BOR, is responsible for crucial water infrastructure across the western United States. They maintain dams, power plants, and canals that were constructed to promote the development of 17 western states in the early 20th century. They currently manage 296 reservoirs with a total storage capacity of over 45 trillion gallons of water. The bureau also manages 249 recreation sites at their reservoirs that have over 90 million visitors annually.  This includes major American landmarks like the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River.

The Bureau of Reclamation is currently the largest wholesaler of water in the country and second largest producer of hydropower in the United States. The bureau delivers 10 trillion gallons of water to millions of people each year. Its 53 hydroelectric power plants produce, on average, 40 billion kilowatt-hours annually. This generates a billion dollars in power revenues and produces enough electricity to serve 3.5 million homes.

It provides 140,000 western farmers with irrigation water for 10 million acres of farmland that produces 60% of the nation’s vegetables and 25% of its fresh fruit and nut crop. The Bureau of Reclamation’s management and recreation activities produce $34.1 billion in economic output and support over 450,000 jobs.

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.

Important Legislation

Reclamation Act of 1902

Learn more from the Bureau of Reclamation.