The Drought Resilient Infrastructure Act of 2024 directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize water conservation, drought resilience, and water supply at its water management projects across the country. The bill requires the Corps to incorporate forecast-informed reservoir operations (using weather predictions to optimize water storage) into water control manuals and to assess the viability of this approach at diverse reservoirs, with particular focus on facilities in California, Nevada, and Arizona. A pilot program allows the Corps to temporarily prioritize water supply over other project purposes during declared drought emergencies in the Southwest, with operations reverting to previous conditions once the drought crisis ends. The legislation also increases funding caps for environmental restoration projects and modifications that address drought resilience, and authorizes the Corps to accept contributions from states and local interests to fund these drought-related activities. The bill explicitly protects existing state water rights, interstate water compacts, and current federal agreements, ensuring it does not override established water law or alter existing project authorizations.
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