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

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

Sec. 308. Forecast-informed reservoir operations Since introduced

(a) In general. In carrying out the assessment required under section 1162(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (33 U.S.C. 2319 note), the Secretary shall include an assessment of New Hogan Dam and Lake, Calaveras River, California, authorized pursuant to the section 10 of December 22, 1944 (chapter 665, 58 Stat. 902), and Shasta Dam and Lake, Sacramento River, California, authorized pursuant to section 2 of the Act of August 26, 1937 (chapter 832, 50 Stat. 850; 54 Stat. 1199).

(b) Additional utilization. Section 1222(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3811; 134 Stat. 2661; 136 Stat. 3777) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking and the Apalachicola Chattahoochee Flint River Basin and inserting the Apalachicola Chattahoochee Flint River Basin, and the Pend Oreille River Basin; and

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking or the Apalachicola Chattahoochee Flint River Basin and inserting the Apalachicola Chattahoochee Flint River Basin, or the Pend Oreille River Basin each place it appears.

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety