Water Resources Development Act of 2026

Purpose & Problem

Is the problem real and worth federal action?

This bill aims to improve rivers, harbors, and water resources across the United States. It directs the Army Corps of Engineers to study, build, and maintain projects for flood control, navigation, clean water, and ecosystem restoration.

Scope & Related Provisions

Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?

The bill covers a wide range of water resource topics, all tied to Corps of Engineers work. It also includes provisions for dam safety, environmental infrastructure grants to cities, and new offices within the Corps, which expand the bill beyond basic construction.

Who Is Affected

Who benefits, and who bears the cost?

Communities near rivers, harbors, and coastlines benefit from new projects and studies. State and local governments take on new cost-sharing duties, and the Corps of Engineers gains new administrative responsibilities under the bill.

Cost & Funding

Is it affordable and responsibly funded?

The bill authorizes specific project costs, such as $2.7 billion for Kentucky Lock and $12.3 billion for the Central Everglades Restoration Plan. It also authorizes annual appropriations for programs like drought resiliency studies at $35 million per year.

Risks & Implementation

What could go wrong in practice?

The bill requires the Corps to set up multiple new offices within 180 days, which depends on available staff and funding. Many projects also require non-federal partners to sign cost-sharing agreements before construction can begin.

TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

This title sets up new offices within the Army Corps of Engineers to manage inland waterways, water supply, community outreach, and alternative project delivery methods. It also updates rules for contracting, permitting, contaminated sediment cleanup, levee oversight, and feasibility study schedules. These changes are meant to make Corps of Engineers water infrastructure programs run faster and more efficiently.

TITLE II--STUDIES AND REPORTS

This title authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct feasibility studies for over 100 new water projects across the country, covering flood control, coastal storm protection, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. It also requires the Corps to speed up completion of existing studies and reports already underway. Additionally, it directs the Secretary to submit several reports to Congress on topics like reservoir operations, water supply impacts, and how future water projects are planned.

TITLE III--DEAUTHORIZATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS

This title cancels authorization for water projects that are no longer active or needed, updates funding limits and program deadlines for existing water programs, transfers ownership of certain federal lands to local governments and private parties, and removes federal authorization from specific flood control and navigation channels across several states. It also adds hundreds of new local water and wastewater infrastructure projects to an existing environmental infrastructure program. These changes affect Army Corps of Engineers projects nationwide.

TITLE IV--WATER RESOURCES INFRASTRUCTURE

This title authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to build or improve water infrastructure projects across many states, including harbor deepening, flood control walls, and ecosystem restoration. It sets estimated federal and non-federal costs for each project. It also directs the Corps to speed up completion of dozens of ongoing projects ranging from beach protection to stormwater control.

TITLE V--DAM SAFETY

This title updates the National Dam Safety Program Act by extending a key deadline from 2026 to 2031 and making minor changes to how low-head dams are treated in the law. It also requires FEMA to complete a study within two years on why states struggle to prioritize dam projects that would benefit communities the most. FEMA must report progress to Congress within one year of the law passing.