Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program
The Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program supports science-based water rights transactions and related efforts to restore streamflows and improve native fish habitat in the Columbia River Basin.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027
Funding Amounts: Recent annual program funding: $3–4 million; typical individual awards range from ~$15,000 to $1.3 million; multi-year and permanent transactions supported.
Summary: Supports voluntary water rights acquisitions and related projects to restore stream flows and improve habitat for native fish in the Columbia River Basin.
Key Information: Only projects in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington are eligible; must align with program priorities for instream flow restoration.
Description
The Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program (CBWTP) funds voluntary, market-based water rights transactions and related efforts to restore streamflows in tributaries of the Columbia River Basin. The program aims to improve habitat for at-risk native fish, including Pacific salmon and steelhead trout, by supporting locally led projects that acquire water rights from willing landowners using temporary, long-term, or permanent agreements. In addition to water rights acquisitions, the program supports technical assistance, monitoring, and incentive-based approaches that benefit instream flows and aquatic ecosystems. CBWTP is managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with the Bonneville Power Administration, Northwest Power and Conservation Council, and other federal and tribal partners.
