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Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention

Program Information

Popular name

(Watershed Program; Public Law 566 Operations Phase)

Program Number

10.904

Program objective

To provide technical and financial assistance in carrying out works of improvement to protect, develop, and utilize the land and water resources in watersheds. The assistance is provided to State and local agencies, tribal governments, and other Federal agencies to prevent damage caused by erosion, floodwater, and sediment; further the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water; and advance the conservation and utilization of the land.

Program expenditures, by FY (2023 - 2025)

This chart shows obligations for the program by fiscal year. All data for this chart was provided by the administering agency and sourced from SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and Treasury.gov.

For more information on each of these data sources, please see the About the data page.

Additional program information

  1. 2024

    Provided funding to 555 projects in 46 States, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In selecting projects for funding, the Agency prioritized addressing drought in the western States, projects that would have a positive impact on historically underserved and tribal communities, and projects that involved sponsors who had not previously worked with the P.L. 83-566 program.

Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):

For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.

OMB is working with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and agency offices of inspectors general to include links to relevant oversight reports. This section will be updated once this information is made available.

Policy for implementation of this program is contained in the National Watershed Program Manual and NRCS General Manual. Program fact sheets, case studies, and guidelines are available from NRCS State Offices and can also be accessed through the NRCS website (www.nrcs.usda.gov). "What is a Watershed," PA-420; "Flood Plain Management - Why We Need It," PA-1276; "Multiple- Purpose Watershed Projects," PA-575; and "Small Watershed Projects," PA- 1354.