Research Program
What is Reclamation?
The Bureau of Reclamation, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages, develops, and protects water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. (See more about Reclamation) Throughout the 17 Western states, Reclamation operates 348 reservoirs and 58 hydroelectric plants, making it the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier and the 5th largest electric utility in the West.
Why does Reclamation conduct research?
Reclamation conducts research to develop and deploy successful solutions for better water and power management--not to merely publish. Researchers adopt an RD3 mindset---research, development, demonstration, and deployment. This is a vital paradigm for Reclamation research, as Reclamation promotes rapid deployment of new innovations to benefit Reclamation's water and power operations.
Our research objectives stem from the need to shorten what have historically been long adoption cycles for new Reclamation innovations. Obviously, a robust technology transfer methodology is critical to successful RD3.
What are Reclamation's research programs?
Reclamation manages five research programs that provide advanced solutions to a broad range of water and power management issues:
- Desalination and Water Purification Research & Development (DWPR)
- Program (Denver)· Science & Technology Program (Denver)
- Safety of Dams Program (Denver)
- Water Quality Program (Yuma)
- Water Reuse Program (Denver)
The research results serve to improve Reclamation water management practices, increase water supply, and ensure cost-effective power generation operations to the benefit of stakeholders.
Most of Reclamation’s in-house research is conducted by scientists and engineers at the laboratories of the Technical Service Center (TSC) at the Federal Center in Denver, Colorado, the Water Quality Improvement Center (WQIC) in Yuma, Arizona, and at numerous field facilities.
What research does Reclamation conduct?
Reclamation conducts and sponsors research in four mission-related focus areas:
- Water & Power Infrastructure Reliability & Safety
- Water Delivery Reliability
- Reservoir & River Operations Decision Support
- Water Supply Technologies
Reclamation conducts a broad scope of research with innovations ranging from a special diet for insects bred to eat noxious weeds to improved methods for concrete repair.