Financial and technical assistance to rehabilitate, upgrade, or decommission aging, high-hazard dams to protect downstream communities and restore watershed functions.

	Supports nature-based solutions		Targeted support for small communities
	Has a regional or watershed focus

Application cycle: USDA NRCS accepts applications on an ongoing basis.

Summary: The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed Rehabilitation Program provides financial and technical assistance to rehabilitate aging dams originally built through NRCS watershed programs. The program supports local sponsors — such as conservation districts or local governments — with planning, design, and construction activities that reduce safety risks and extend a dam’s useful life. Eligible projects must address dams built under specific federal watershed authorities, including the PL-566 Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations and similar programs. NRCS prioritizes high-hazard dams and works with sponsors to develop locally led watershed plans that account for environmental impacts, project benefits, and long-term maintenance. In some cases, dam removal may be considered as an alternative to structural rehabilitation.

Eligible applicants: States and local governments, including conservation districts, water improvement districts, county, city, town, or tribal governments.

Eligible activities: 

• Dam rehabilitation: Funding can support structural upgrades to existing dams—such as raising embankments, modifying spillways, or replacing aging infrastructure—to meet modern safety standards and extend service life by up to 100 years.
• Dam decommissioning: Where appropriate, dams can be removed entirely to eliminate downstream risks. This nature-based solution also restores natural floodplain functions and enhances ecosystem health.
• Watershed planning and technical assistance: Projects must go through a comprehensive planning process. Funding can support feasibility studies, engineering and design work, environmental reviews, permitting, and community engagement.

Funding: Varies. $1,000,000 – $20,000,000.

Cost share: 65% federal / 35% non-federal for dam rehabilitation or decommissioning. Technical assistance is provided at 100% federal cost. 

• Filter – In-kind Contributions: In-kind contributions are accepted and may be included in the non-federal share, but are not reimbursed in cash.

Application process: 

• For more information on the program, you can contact your local NRCS office. 
• A step-by-step guide and timeline for accessing funding can be found here.
• Project sponsors are responsible for and must agree to carry out specific parts of the project, including, but not limited to: providing their share of project, assisting NRCS develop a watershed plan, obtaining land rights, obtaining required permits, monitoring easement encroachment, development and updating emergency action plans, and conducting regular inspections of installed works of improvement.