Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill would reauthorize the Bureau of Reclamation’s Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through fiscal year 2031 and update its operational requirements. It proposes that the program prioritize the use of technologies that integrate real-time snowpack measurements and modeling to improve the accuracy of water supply forecasts and allocations for federal water contractors. Additionally, the bill would emphasize enhancing forecasting results to better respond to changing weather conditions and building the capacity of program partners to utilize new measurement capabilities.

The bill primarily affects the Bureau of Reclamation, which is directed to reauthorize and modify its snow water supply forecasting activities through 2031. Federal water contractors in certain western states are also affected, as the agency must use integrated snowpack measurements and models when determining their water supply forecasts or allocations. Additionally, the bill impacts program partners who will receive support to build capacity for implementing and adapting to new measurement and forecasting technologies.

• Reauthorization of the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program. The bill extends the Bureau of Reclamation's Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through fiscal year 2031.
• Integration of Advanced Snowpack Measurement Technologies. The Bureau of Reclamation is directed to incorporate technologies that provide spatially complete snowpack measurements and models when determining water supply forecasts or allocations for federal water contractors.
• Emphasis on Real-Time Data and Adaptive Forecasting. The program must prioritize activities that achieve forecasting results responsive to changing weather conditions, including the real-time integration of measurement and modeling data.
• Strategic Focus on River Basin Management. The bill emphasizes expanding snowpack measurement and modeling in river basins where such data can directly inform water management decisions.
• Partner Capacity Building. The program is required to focus on building the capacity of its partners to implement and adapt to new measurement and forecasting capabilities.

• H.R. 3857, Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025
  Sep 17, 2025 · As reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on September 15, 2025

The bill reauthorizes the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program through fiscal year 2031.

This bill reauthorizes and modifies the existing Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program of the Bureau of Reclamation through fiscal year 2031. It updates the program's framework to emphasize the integration of modern snowpack measurement technologies and modeling into federal water supply forecasts and management decisions.

The bill aims to reauthorize and enhance the Bureau of Reclamation's Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program by integrating advanced snowpack measurement and modeling technologies. Its purpose is to improve the accuracy and timeliness of water supply forecasts in response to changing weather conditions and to better inform water management decisions in western states.