Urban Streams Restoration Program: Grants
The Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP) provides financial and technical assistance to local communities for projects that reduce flooding and erosion damage, restore, enhance, and/or protect the natural ecological values of streams and support community-led stewardship of urban creeks.
The USRP funds local, community-based projects that improve the health, safety, and resilience of urban stream corridors.
Since 1985, the USRP has supported projects that:
- Reduce damage from flooding and streambank erosion,
- Improve or restore riparian and aquatic habitats,
- Enhance community access, and
- Promote long-term watershed stewardship through education and partnerships.
2026 USRP Grant Solicitation
Published: May 20, 2026
Public Comment Period
The Department of Water Resources is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Draft USRP Guidelines, formally opening a 45-day public comment period from May 20, 2026, to July 6, 2026.
Please provide comments by 12:00 PM on July 6, 2026, by emailing usrpinfo@water.ca.gov.
DWR will host two public workshops and one Tribal-only meeting to provide an overview of the program, review key components of the 2026 Draft Guidelines, and to accept public comments.
General Public Meetings:
Tuesday, June23
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Register here: https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZbnMO_BwTdKcuaVgeCWWRg
Wednesday, July 1
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Register here: https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/bFeZnVSJTnaKvMCJalYqFg
Tribal-Only meeting:
Date TBD
Time TBD
Link to register: Coming soon
To receive updates on the Guidelines and Solicitations please sign up for the USRP email list.
Through the Riverine Stewardship Program, and in conjunction with the San Joaquin Fish Population Enhancement Program, USRP will fund planning and implementation projects that restore streams, creeks, and rivers to enhance the environment for fish, wildlife, and people.
Details of the solicitation are posted on the Riverine Stewardship Program – Grants webpage and interested parties will be notified of milestones and upcoming events through our mailing list For further information, contact us at usrpinfo@water.ca.gov.
We Can Help You With Your Projects
DWR staff can assist with riverine ecosystem restoration projects and provide technical assistance pending available resources. DWR also provides additional technical assistance.
Our services include:
- Project planning
- CEQA compliance and permitting strategies
- Refinement of stream restoration techniques
- Grant application preparation
- Funding opportunities
- Additional assistance with riverine enhancement projects
Past Solicitations
2022 Solicitation
The USRP through the Riverine Stewardship Program solicitation awarded over $8.1 million to 3 projects through a rolling application cycle. The first application cycle began in June 2022. Refer to the guidelines and proposal solicitation package for detailed information on the solicitation rules, procedures, and processes at the Riverine Stewardship Program – Grants webpage.
2019 Solicitation
On March 26, 2020, DWR announced the final list of projects selected for funding through the 2019 Urban Streams Restoration Program (USRP) Solicitation. This round of grant funding, supported by Proposition 68 and Proposition 84, awarded grants to 11 projects that will help restore and protect urban streams across California.