Improving Lake Superior outflow regulation and quantifying uncertainty
🏛 Engineer Research and Development Center
Can you apply?
This grant is for non-federal partners of the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) seeking to improve Lake Superior outflow regulation through uncertainty analysis and hydrodynamic modeling.
Eligible applicants must be CESU non-federal partners. This includes universities, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations formally affiliated with the CESU network.
The project focuses on developing uncertainty analysis for new Lake Superior outflow rating equations and optionally developing hydrodynamic models of the St. Marys River. Work must integrate with existing University of Michigan CFD modeling efforts.
Awards range up to approximately $200,000 with a 12-month base performance period. Cost sharing is not required.
This grant is for non-federal partners of the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) seeking to improve Lake Superior outflow regulation through uncertainty analysis and hydrodynamic modeling.
Eligible applicants must be CESU non-federal partners. This includes universities, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations formally affiliated with the CESU network.
The project focuses on developing uncertainty analysis for new Lake Superior outflow rating equations and optionally developing hydrodynamic models of the St. Marys River. Work must integrate with existing University of Michigan CFD modeling efforts.
Awards range up to approximately $200,000 with a 12-month base performance period. Cost sharing is not required.
Program description
A. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites proposals for a project to conduct a comprehensive uncertainty analysis for new outflow rating equations associated with a critical water control structure on Lake Superior. The primary focus of this funding opportunity is to enhance the accuracy and reliability of discharge measurements, which are fundamental to the effective management of the Great Lakes system under the Lake Superior Regulation Plan. The base task, along with both options, are all tasks that are related to improving Lake Superior outflow regulation. However, these tasks are not interdependent. The base, option 1 and option 2, are simply a priority given to these tasks if funding should be available.
Task 1:
Current operational procedures for the structure’s gates include partially open settings that are not accounted for in historical rating equations. To address this, new rating equations are currently under development by a team at the University of Michigan using advanced physical and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. A key requirement for a successful proposal under this announcement is a well-defined plan for the awardee to work collaboratively and integrate their efforts with the existing University of Michigan modeling team. This partnership will be essential to ensure the resulting uncertainty analysis is robust and directly applicable to the new ratings. The principal outcome of this work will be a quantified uncertainty band for discharge rates corresponding to various gate openings and water levels. The uncertainty analysis should use the publicly available Large Lake Statistical Water Balance Model, so the uncertainty values are consistent with already operational uncertainty models for all other components of the Great Lakes water balance. This task will require a 12 month performance period so the results can be used in an upcoming study.
Depending on availability of funding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may award the following optional work:
Task 2:
The development and calibration of a high-fidelity hydrodynamic model of the St. Marys River built using the Delft3D FM suite. The scope of this model be the entire St Marys River from Point Iroquois on Lake Superior to the outlet of the River near Detour Village on Lake Huron. The domain shall include the North Channel of Lake Huron to Little Current Ontario but exclude connections to Georgian Bay. The model will be fully three-dimensional, focus on the St Marys Rapids and be able to incorporate the rating equations and uncertainty analysis proposed above. Delft3D FM must be used as the United States Government as well as partners at Environment Climate Change Canada both have access to this modeling suite. The United States Government will provide water level and velocity data to calibrate the model as well as computational resources.
Successful projects will deliver technically sound uncertainty metrics that can be immediately integrated into USACE operational models, contributing to improved ecological outcomes and more effective water resource management. As well as the ability to provide scopes of work for the additional tasks should they be funded.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for non-federal partners of the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) seeking to improve Lake Superior outflow regulation through uncertainty analysis and hydrodynamic modeling.
Eligible applicants must be CESU non-federal partners. This includes universities, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations formally affiliated with the CESU network.
The project focuses on developing uncertainty analysis for new Lake Superior outflow rating equations and optionally developing hydrodynamic models of the St. Marys River. Work must integrate with existing University of Michigan CFD modeling efforts.
Awards range up to approximately $200,000 with a 12-month base performance period. Cost sharing is not required.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project Narrative describing collaboration plan with University of Michigan
- Technical proposal for uncertainty analysis methodology
- Budget and budget justification
- Project timeline (12-month base performance period)
- Evidence of CESU non-federal partner status
- Qualifications of key personnel
Program contact
- 👤 Phoebe V Fuller Grantor
- 📧 phoebe.v.fuller@usace.army.mil
- 📞 6016343793
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.630 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$142,583,696
-
$129,332,838
-
$118,290,185
-
$111,562,198
-
$88,016,412
-
$74,437,752
-
$72,572,588
-
$48,526,095
-
$44,471,403
-
$37,826,791
Top States by Funding
- TX 10 awards $234.0M
- CT 10 awards $215.0M
- CA 9 awards $178.2M
- PA 5 awards $127.9M
- AZ 6 awards $52.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.630). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $10,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Only non-federal partners of the Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) are eligible. Check CESU membership before applying.
What is the deadline and funding available?
The deadline is July 6, 2026 (fixed date). Awards available are approximately $200,000, with optional tasks available if funding permits.
What are the main tasks funded?
The base task requires uncertainty analysis for Lake Superior outflow equations using CFD models from University of Michigan. Optional tasks include developing a hydrodynamic St. Marys River model using Delft3D FM software.
What makes an application competitive?
Strong proposals clearly demonstrate collaboration plans with the University of Michigan team, technical soundness, and immediate applicability to USACE operational models.
What documents do I need to submit?
Typical federal cooperative agreement requirements include a proposal narrative, budget, project timeline, and evidence of CESU partnership status.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Verify your organization is a confirmed non-federal CESU partner before investing proposal time. Contact CESU leadership if unsure of your status.
- Develop a detailed collaboration plan with the University of Michigan CFD team. This partnership is described as essential for proposal success.
- Use the Large Lake Statistical Water Balance Model for uncertainty analysis so results align with existing Great Lakes operational models.
- If proposing the optional hydrodynamic modeling task, confirm your team's experience with Delft3D FM software and access to computational resources.
- Focus your narrative on how results will integrate directly into USACE operational procedures and support ecological outcomes in the Great Lakes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to establish clear collaboration framework with University of Michigan team before submission. Proposing uncertainty methods inconsistent with Large Lake Statistical Water Balance Model standards. Underestimating complexity of integrating work with existing operational USACE systems.
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