Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting

Snow Surveys
CFDA 10.907 Active Cooperative Agreement
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$18.4M FY2026
$18M
FY24
$14.5M
FY25
$18.4M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2026 Investigating feasibility and beginning implementation of a northeastern US snow survey network. Improving SNOTEL data quality and water supply forecast modeling.

Program Objective

To provide reliable, accurate, and timely forecasts of surface water supply to water users and water managers in the West. To efficiently obtain, manage, and disseminate high quality data and information on snow, water, climate, and hydrologic conditions. To provide climate data to support NRCS conservation planning tools.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. Federal Government
  • U.S. Territory Government
  • U.S. State Government
  • Federally Recognized Tribal Government

Federal and state, including public institutions of higher education, including those located in U.S. Territories.

Beneficiaries

  • Unrestricted by Entity Type
  • Unrestricted by Individual Type

How to Apply

Application Procedure

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Individuals can make requests for reports from NRCS Field and State offices that issued them, and from the NRCS National Water and Climate Center (NWCC) in Portland, OR.

Program details & compliance

Description

The listing supports the SSWSF program in providing surface water supply forecasts to serve water users, specifically farmers, and water managers in the West. This service is unique because of the program’s commitment to delivering the highest quality data and ability to efficiently manage and distribute this critical information. Water supply forecasts and data support vital planning and conservation efforts, making a significant impact on resource management in the region.

Mission Categories

Primary: Agricultural Resource Conservation and Development

Other categories:
Flood Prevention and ControlWater ConservationRecreationProduction and Operation

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Assistance is used to support snow data analysis and water supply forecast modeling. A unique opportunity was presented in FY24 & FY26 for a study of the feasibility of a northeastern U.S. snow network and to begin implementation of such network.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Formula

7 CFR 612 - This part sets forth Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) policy and procedure for the administration of a cooperative snow survey and water supply forecast program. The program provides agricultural water users and other water management groups in the western states area with water supply forecasts to enable them to plan for efficient water management. The program also provides the public and the scientific community with a data base that can be used to accurately determine the extent of the now resource. The western states area comprises Alaska, Arizona, California (east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range only), Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Contacts

Heather Hofman, National Water and Climate Center, Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Program — Director, National Water and Climate Center
971-325-5171
Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture-, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-04. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:35:36.