Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program
Forecasted
The Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program funds collaborative science-based projects to restore stream flows and fish habitat in the Columbia River Basin, led by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Request for Proposals deadline)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards range from ~$30,000 to $1.3M; most grants are $100,000–$400,000 per project/year; multi-year and renewal funding possible; matching funds are common but not always required.
Summary: Supports voluntary, market-based water transactions to restore stream flows and aquatic habitat for native fish in the Columbia River Basin (ID, MT, OR, WA).
Key Information: Only projects in the Columbia Basin (ID, MT, OR, WA) are eligible; strong preference for collaborative, locally driven efforts.
Description
The Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program (CBWTP) funds projects that restore and maintain healthy stream flows in the tributaries of the Columbia River, primarily to support the recovery and resilience of native fish such as Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, and bull trout. The program enables voluntary, market-based acquisition or leasing of water rights from willing landowners, as well as incentive-based water management agreements and infrastructure improvements. By collaborating with local partners—including nonprofits, tribes, agencies, and conservation districts—CBWTP seeks to balance community water needs with ecological requirements, focusing on flow-limited tributaries in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
CBWTP is the largest instream flow restoration program in the U.S. and emphasizes projects that are locally driven, collaborative, and aligned with regional conservation and recovery plans for threatened and endangered species. Eligible projects may involve water right leases or acquisitions, forbearance agreements, irrigation efficiency improvements, streamflow monitoring, and technical assistance to landowners.
