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.
Grant funding is available statewide on a competitive basis. We have funding guidelines that outline our transparent process for awarding these grants.
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 in a designated RCW 90.94.040 Metering Pilot Project Area.
- Projects that benefit Endangered Species Act (ESA) threatened and endangered salmonids or other native species of concern.
- 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
- Summary of applications submitted for funding consideration for the 2026 grant round.
- Sign up for our email list to get streamflow restoration competitive grant announcements and notifications.
Applicant resources
We held applicant workshops to provide information about the process and purpose of the grants. We also met with potential applicants. The pre-application meetings were an opportunity for potential applicants to discuss the details of their project with Ecology staff before applying.
- Applicant Workshop recording - Nov. 4, 2025
- Applicant Prep Tool: document for download
- Streamflow Restoration Competitive Grant Q&A and Applicant Resources
- Workshop Presentation (PDF)
Previous grant rounds
| Date | Projects selected | Number of applications |
Award amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2024 | 25 projects in 18 watersheds | 34 | $53 million |
| October 2022 | 26 projects in 22 watersheds | 57 | $35 million |
| October 2020 | 21 projects in 16 watersheds | 63 | $22 million |
| January 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
Heather May
Contract & Grant Planner
EAGL Application Questions
sfrprjgrants@ecy.wa.gov
360-890-0496