Bureau of Reclamation

Happy May the 4th! The “force” isn’t from a galaxy far, far away — it comes from water. As water flows through a dam, it builds head pressure that, along with the flow, spins turbines and generates clean, renewable hydropower May the 4th be with you. #MayThe4thBeWithYou #Hydropower #CleanEnergy

🚗🦦 Otto Otter’s #Freedom250 journey takes the road less traveled to Monticello Dam in California. 📏304 ft tall 🌀 Iconic spillway 🌊 Big water, fast-changing conditions Out on the water, conditions can change quickly. Cold water, wind, and distance from shore all matter more than you think. A life jacket isn’t extra—it’s essential. As we celebrate Freedom 250, we’re highlighting how safety keeps people protected on and around our waters. Remember, water is powerful. Respect it and don’t risk it. #DamLessTraveled #OttoOtter #EnergyDominance

Bureau of Reclamation Technical Service Center engineers Jeremiah Bradshaw and Olivia Cordova recently shared their expertise with industry leaders at the 2026 International Conference of Doble Clients. They presented on the successful completion of the world’s first 345 kV, 1,175 kV BIL natural ester power transformer project. Their presentation highlighted the research, engineering methods and lessons learned that made this achievement possible. This innovative transformer design improves grid reliability and supports the safe delivery of hydropower. By sharing their experience, the team is helping utilities across the country implement similar projects. Advancements like this highlight the Technical Service Center’s world-class expertise and leadership in driving innovation across the hydropower industry, strengthening the nation’s energy security and delivering reliable, sustainable power for millions of Americans. #Hydropower #TSC #Reclamation

Drought conditions across the West remain challenging, and understanding real-time conditions is critical. That is why the Bureau of Reclamation provides transparent, up-to-date information on reservoir storage, drought conditions and water supply through its public dashboard. By sharing current data on snowpack, streamflow and reservoir levels, the Bureau of Reclamation helps partners, stakeholders and the public better understand conditions and the decisions being made to manage limited water supplies. Transparency supports better planning, stronger coordination and more informed decisions as the Bureau of Reclamation works to protect water supplies, infrastructure and communities during these challenging conditions. For more information and to view current conditions, visit: experience.arcgis.com/experience/512… #WaterWednesday #Reclamation

Last week, the Bureau of Reclamation hosted its Spring 2026 Wildland Fire Management Workshop in Redding, California. The biannual event brought together coordinators, partners and specialists from across the West to share updates and strengthen wildfire management efforts on Reclamation lands. Over three days, participants heard from federal, state and local partners and visited active wildfire risk-reduction projects near critical infrastructure and wildland-urban interface communities. The workshop aligned regional and national priorities while emphasizing partnerships and on-the-ground action. A productive week advancing safer, more resilient landscapes across the West! #Reclamation

It's National Pneumatics Day! Pneumatics and high‑pressure technologies have played a vital role across Bureau of Reclamation projects for more than a century. From excavating massive dams to stabilizing canyon walls and placing concrete in hard‑to‑reach places, these systems helped crews take on some of the toughest engineering challenges in the West. High‑scaling crews used pneumatic jackhammers to clear unstable rock from steep canyon walls, air‑powered drills helped carve diversion tunnels, and pressure‑driven concrete guns and grout pumps allowed workers to place and secure material deep within foundations. These tools were essential in building the infrastructure that supports water delivery, hydropower, and flood control.

Not every government agency can boast having built national landmarks that make it to people's bucket list, but at the Bureau of Reclamation, we can! Today is #NationalBucketListDay and we can proudly say that the Hoover Dam is a top destination for travelers world wide. 🦾 Engineering Marvel: Built in just five years with a pioneering concrete arch design. 🏗️ Massive Scale: Its base is 660 feet thick and contains enough concrete to span the country. 💡 Power & Utility: Supplies hydroelectric power to over 500,000 homes and supports irrigation across the Southwest. 🎉 Historic Feat: A Depression‑era project that employed 21,000 workers and showcased major innovation. 🏞️ Iconic Setting: Towering above Black Canyon, it draws millions of visitors every year. If the Hoover Dam isn’t on your bucket list yet… today might be the perfect day to add it! #Reclamation #HooverDam #BucketListReady

Drought response operations begin April 23, and river flows below Flaming Gorge and Glen Canyon dams will change as additional water moves through the Colorado River system. Up to 660,000 acre-feet to 1 million acre-feet of water will be moved from Flaming Gorge to Lake Powell. Green River releases are expected to average about 2,000 cfs through April 2026, then may increase to roughly 4,600 cfs as more water is moved downstream. At the same time, Lake Powell will reduce releases by1.48 MAF (from 7.48 MAF down to 6.0 MAF) to Lake Mead, averaging about 7,000 cfs, with daily fluctuations between 6,000 and 8,000 cfs. These projections may continue to shift as real-time operations evolve. More information on river flows will be provided soon. For more details, visit: usbr.gov/newsroom/news-…

Behind every drop of water is data. AgriMet is a network of weather stations that collect real-time climate data — including temperature, humidity and solar radiation — to support agriculture and water management. “All of the sensors feed into a data logger here at the station,” said civil engineer Dale Lentz, who conducts maintenance at AgriMet sites with hydrologist and civil engineer Nate Lowe of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Missouri Basin Region Hydrology and Operations Group. “That information is transmitted by satellite to the Columbia-Pacific Northwest system so the data can be processed and made available online for producers and water managers to use.” By turning real-time weather data into actionable information, AgriMet helps improve water use efficiency and supports drought resilience across the West. From field to forecast, this is infrastructure in action, supporting communities, economies and natural resources every day. Learn more: usbr.gov/gp/agrimet/abo… #DroughtManagement #Reclamation 💧

The Bureau of Reclamation has officially kicked off the irrigation season in southern Idaho — and we captured the moment on video. This month, the Burley Irrigation District opened the headgates at Minidoka Dam to prime canal systems for water delivery to farms and communities across southern Idaho. To see the start of the season in action, watch this short video highlighting this year’s opening and the people who make it possible. Reclamation is proud to work alongside partners like the Burley Irrigation District to deliver reliable water supplies throughout the Minidoka Project. Together, we support sustainable agriculture, strengthen local economies and help southern Idaho thrive. #Reclamation

The Colorado River Basin faces historic drought and record low snowpack. The April 24 Month Study shows Lake Powell could fall below 3,490 feet by August 2026 without intervention, threatening water and power reliability for more than 40 million people. Under the Drought Response Operations Agreement, the Bureau of Reclamation is intending to release 660,000 to 1 million acre-feet from Flaming Gorge through April 2027 and is intending to reduce annual releases from Lake Powell to Lake Mead by 1.48 million acre-feet. These steps are expected to raise Lake Powell about 54 feet to at least 3500 feet by April 2027. Reclamation continues working with basin states, tribes, Mexico and partners to address drought impacts, protect infrastructure and keep communities informed. To learn more, visit: usbr.gov/newsroom/news-…

The New Waddell Dam, built by Reclamation as part of the Central Arizona Project, expanded Lake Pleasant into a major water resource that supports storage, flood control, hydropower, and long-term water reliability for central Arizona. The resulting Lake Pleasant Reservoir offers 114 miles of shoreline, a full-service marina, boat access, campgrounds, trails, overlooks, and visitor and desert education centers. With opportunities for hiking, biking, boating, and sport fishing, the reservoir showcases how Reclamation projects provide essential water benefits while also supporting year-round outdoor experiences for families and visitors.

💧 $6.3M for tribal water projects! The @usbr is funding critical upgrades to drinking water, wastewater systems and water quality across tribal communities. This investment supports a top priority of the U.S. Department of the @Interior and the Trump Administration: keeping Indian Country safe, healthy and strong. bia.gov/news/reclamati…

The Bureau of Reclamation is investing $6.3 million in 10 tribal water projects to help strengthen access to clean, reliable drinking water across tribal communities. These investments support projects like drinking water system upgrades, new wells, wastewater and lagoon improvements, water quality testing and workforce development. All funding comes through Reclamation’s Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program, which helps federally recognized tribes develop, manage and protect their water and related resources. Since 2016, Reclamation has invited tribes across the 17 Western states to propose projects that support community needs and advance long-term water resilience. For more information, visit: usbr.gov/newsroom/news-… @USIndianAffairs

Variable releases from Lewiston Dam will begin April 15, with flows peaking at 4,300 cfs on April 24 before gradually dropping to 750 cfs by June 9. A pulse to 1,450 cfs is scheduled for June 15, followed by a steady decline to 450 cfs by July 3. This annual flow schedule supports salmon habitat, migration, riparian growth, and sediment movement throughout the Trinity River. This year’s plan is based on the state’s “Dry” water year forecast. Please use caution near the river and move items away from the banks ahead of peak flows. For questions, contact the Trinity River Restoration Program at 530‑623‑1800 or info@trrp.net. Current flow information is available at: trrp.net/restoration/fl…, and you can sign up for Lewiston Dam change‑order notices by following this link: groups.google.com/g/trinity-rele…

Visitors to several of Oklahoma’s most popular lake destinations will soon find it easier to enjoy the outdoors, thanks to a series of accessibility improvements underway at recreation areas managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. The project will upgrade recreation facilities at 13 locations across western Oklahoma, including Quartz Mountain State Park, Great Plains State Park, Fort Cobb State Park and Foss State Park. The improvements represent about $1.8 million in infrastructure upgrades designed to enhance access to Reclamation reservoirs and recreation sites. Work includes upgrades to fishing docks, courtesy docks, campgrounds, boat ramps and day-use areas. Projects will also add accessible sidewalks, parking areas, picnic tables and other recreational features designed to meet accessibility standards. The improvements are intended to make recreation experiences more accessible for visitors of all abilities. By improving paths to the shoreline and upgrading infrastructure, the project will help ensure more visitors can safely access lakes, beaches and campgrounds. Construction is expected to continue through fall 2026. #NormanProject #Reclamation

The Bureau of Reclamation was pleased to welcome Department of the Interior’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Dustin Sherer for a comprehensive tour of the Klamath Project this week. He traveled the Klamath Project from top to bottom, east to west, meeting with irrigators, project operators, policy leaders and technical experts to hear directly about local priorities, challenges and ongoing efforts to support water and natural resource management in the basin. Sherer served as the keynote speaker at the Klamath Water Users Association annual meeting where he underscored the department’s commitment to collaboration, transparency and long-term solutions for the region.

What has a heel and a toe but doesn’t wear shoes? A dam! In dam design, the heel is where the upstream face meets the foundation, and the downstream toe is where the dam connects with the natural ground. For embankment dams, the upstream toe refers to the junction of the upstream face with the ground. Understanding these features is key to appreciating the engineering behind these vital structures.

#TSCFunFactFriday: Did you know Bureau of Reclamation biologists help protect one of the smallest raptors in the world? The elf owl, about the size of a sparrow and listed as endangered in California, is being surveyed by TSC biologists along the Lower Colorado River to support conservation efforts. #TSC #Reclamation

It’s Cold Water Safety Awareness Week! Have you heard about cold shock? 🥶 Immersion in cold water can trigger gasping, fast breathing or hyperventilating due to the “shock” of sudden immersion. This uncontrolled, rapid breathing can quickly cause drowning if a person inhales water and cannot stay afloat. Cold water can also cause a sudden spike in heart rate and blood pressure. This increase can cause heart failure and stroke in vulnerable people. Finally, cold shock can cause a panic, fear or stress reaction that hurts clear thinking and decision making. As hypothermia sets in, the ability to think and make life-saving decisions decreases. 🦺 Wear a life vest to stay alive until help arrives! 🦺