H.R. 9497

Water Resources Development Act of 2026

Sponsor: Sam Graves

3 cosponsors
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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

Water Resources Development Act of 2026

This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements. For example, the bill authorizes and modifies various water resources feasibility studies and projects of the Corps of Engineers, such as studies or projects to

  • maintain ports and harbors,
  • make certain waterways more navigable,
  • reduce flood and storm damage,
  • restore aquatic ecosystems and protect fish and wildlife,
  • protect shorelines,
  • address harmful algal blooms,
  • rehabilitate dams,
  • manage recreational sites and facilities,
  • support water supply and storage projects, and
  • support other water resources infrastructure.

The bill also directs the Corps of Engineers to establish an Office on Alternative Delivery Methods in order to accelerate project delivery of infrastructure. 

In addition, the bill directs the Corps of Engineers to issue a rule that establishes categorical permissions for certain harbor or river improvements that will cause only minimal adverse environmental effects.

Text of the bill

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I General Provisions

II Studies and Reports

Sec. 223. Columbia Lock and Dam, Louisiana Since introduced

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report regarding the Columbia Lock and Dam, Louisiana, authorized by the first section of the Act of June 13, 1902 (chapter 1079, 32 Stat. 357), that includes—

(1) a description of the nature and extent of the structural concerns that resulted in the declaration by the Secretary in August, 2024, of a non-breach emergency at the lock and dam;

(2) a summary of actions taken by the Corps of Engineers to address such concerns, including interim operational or emergency measures;

(3) recommended permanent remedial actions necessary to ensure continued navigation functionality and structural integrity;

(4) an evaluation of whether such recommended permanent remedial actions may be implemented as discrete, segmented projects or phases, including an assessment of—

(A) the technical feasibility of such segmentation;

(B) potential cost efficiencies or risk reduction associated with phased implementation; and

(C) the extent to which segmentation could accelerate completion of critical repairs; and

(5) an estimated schedule and cost range for implementation of such recommended permanent remedial actions, including any segmented or phased approach identified based on the evaluation under paragraph (4).

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety