Streamflow restoration competitive grants
Our streamflow restoration competitive grants help Tribal governments, public entities, and non-profit organizations implement local watershed plans and projects to improve streamflow and aquatic resources.
Funding cycle
- Amount of funding available: Up to $40 million available per biennium
- Grant award limit: No limit
- Amount of matching funds required: None
Applications are not being accepted at this time.
Applications will be accepted between:
Start date: Jan 15, 2026
End date: Mar 17, 2026
Grant funding is available statewide on a competitive basis.
Funding is available for the following entities:
Eligible applicants are limited to Tribal governments with reservation lands or treaty rights within Washington, public entities (federal, state, local governments, and quasi-governments), and nonprofit organizations. Funding is available statewide.
Priority is given to projects that benefit streamflows, projects in adopted plans prepared under the Streamflow Restoration Law (chapter 90.94 RCW), projects is areas specified under the law, projects that benefit ESA threatened and endangered salmonids or other native species of concern, and projects that emphasize environmental justice.
Eligible projects include water right acquisitions, water storage, altered water management or infrastructure, watershed function, riparian and fish habitat improvements, environmental monitoring, planning and feasibility studies.
Operation and maintenance costs are not eligible under this funding source. See our funding guidelines for more information about eligible and ineligible project elements and costs.More information about this funding program
- Funding guidelines
- Sign up for our email list to get Streamflow Restoration grant announcements and notifications.
Applicant workshops
We will offer two, virtual applicant workshops to provide potential applicants with information on the funding opportunity, including updates to our funding guidelines, eligibility requirements, application requirements, how projects will be evaluated, and how to apply.
The following events pages give more information about the workshops:
- November 4, 2025 (workshop will be recorded and posted online)
- January 22, 2026
Workshop materials:
- Streamflow Restoration Competitive Grants, 2026: Guidance for Project Applicants
- Applicant Prep Tool (coming soon)
- Workshop Handout PDF (coming soon)
- Workshop Presentation PDF (coming soon)
Pre-application meetings
Pre-application meetings will be offered by request from November 5, 2025, through the application period. Pre-application meetings are an opportunity for potential applicants to discuss the details of their project with Ecology staff before applying. These meetings are required for projects that have a water right acquisition component and optional for any other project. We will meet requests in the order they are received as our availability allows and meetings for projects with a water right acquisition component will be prioritized. To request a pre-application meeting:
- Complete a pre-application meeting request form and email it to sfrprjgrants@ecy.wa.gov no later than March 3, 2026 Include “Meeting Request” in the email subject line.
Previous grant rounds
| Date | Projects selected | Number of applications |
Award amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2024 | 25 projects in 18 watersheds | 34 | $53 million |
| Oct. 2022 | 26 projects in 22 watersheds | 57 | $35 million |
| Oct. 2020 | 21 projects in 16 watersheds | 63 | $22 million |
| Jan. 2019 | 16 projects in 11 watersheds | 46 | $20 million |
Funding rule
The Streamflow Restoration Funding rule (chapter 173-566 WAC) was adopted June 25, 2019, providing the process and criteria for funding projects statewide under chapter 90.94 RCW.
Related links
Contact information
Vanessa Brinkhuis
Streamflow Restoration Grant Unit Supervisor
Funding Program Questions
sfrprjgrants@ecy.wa.gov
509-406-6505
Brandy Reynecke
Contract & Grant Planner
EAGL Application Questions
sfrprjgrants@ecy.wa.gov
360-870-5294