Legal Definitions - Bureau of Reclamation

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency operating under the U.S. Department of the Interior. Historically, it was instrumental in developing water resources across 17 western states by constructing a vast network of dams, power plants, and canals. Today, its core mission involves managing these extensive water projects, primarily by selling the hydroelectric power generated at its dams and distributing and selling water from the large reservoirs it oversees for various uses, including irrigation, municipal supply, and industrial purposes.

• Example 1: Providing Renewable Energy to a City

  Imagine a major utility company in Nevada seeking to diversify its energy portfolio with clean, renewable sources. This utility might enter into a long-term agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to purchase a significant portion of the hydroelectric power generated by one of the large dams the Bureau operates in the region. This arrangement allows the utility to provide sustainable electricity to thousands of homes and businesses, directly illustrating the Bureau's responsibility for selling hydroelectric power from its dams.

• Example 2: Supplying Water for Agricultural Irrigation

  Consider a community of farmers in eastern Washington who cultivate vast fields of wheat and potatoes in an arid climate. Their livelihoods depend on a consistent and reliable water supply for irrigation. These farmers often receive water allocations that are managed and sold by the Bureau of Reclamation from reservoirs created by federal projects. The Bureau ensures that water stored in these reservoirs is distributed and sold to support vital agricultural production, demonstrating its function in selling water from its reservoirs for irrigation.

• Example 3: Delivering Drinking Water to a Growing Town

  A rapidly expanding town in Arizona is experiencing a surge in population, leading to increased demand for potable water. To meet this need, the town's water utility could negotiate with the Bureau of Reclamation to purchase a specific volume of water from a federally managed reservoir upstream. The Bureau would then release this water into the town's treatment and distribution system, ensuring a stable and safe drinking water supply for its residents. This scenario highlights the Bureau's role in selling water from its reservoirs for municipal consumption.