The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL-566) authorizes the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to help local organizations and units of government plan and implement watershed projects. PL-566 watershed projects are locally led to solve natural and human resource problems in watersheds up to 250,000 acres (less than 400 square miles).
NRCS-PL566 Watersheds
USDA - Rural Development
Eligible Entities
- City, County, Special Service Districts, State Agency, Town, Water Districts
Type of Fund
- Grant/Loan
Typical Support
Technical and financial assistance available
Application Deadline
July
Featured Project
NRCS IDIQ 90% Design Review
After the Warner Draw Debris Basin did not meet NRCS and Utah State Dam regulations, plans were made to update the dam to meet the correct standards. The project consisted of rehabilitation of six debris basins within the Warner Draw Watershed. Rehabilitation of these debris basins reduced the risk of flood damages in the area. JDE’s technical review included the design report, specifications, drawings, supporting calculations, cost estimate, geologic and geotechnical analysis, hydraulic and hydrologic design data, quality assurance plan, and operation and maintenance plan.

Featured Project
Olsen Reservoir Lower Price River Watershed Plan
JDE assisted the DWR in preparing a successful NRCS PL566 Watershed Plan application for the Olsen Reservoir - Lower Price River Watershed. The project includes canal diversions and dump structures, an irrigation pipeline, channel improvements, increasing the storage of an irrigation reservoir via excavation of the reservoir area and raising the dam embankment, and an automated reservoir outlet to augment low flows throughout the lower Price watershed. The benefits of the project include agriculture water during low flow period, wetlands, salinity reduction, fish and wildlife, habitat, and flood control. JDE helped position the project for a successful application by soliciting project support from numerous project partners based on the broad benefits of the project. JDE was also selected to complete the Watershed Plan which is now in process.

Program Categories
Aquatic Habitat Restoration | Drinking Water | Erosion Control | Flood Prevention/Control | Secondary/Irrigation | Source (wells/springs) | Storage (culinary) | Stormwater | Water Resources