Securing the Future of U.S. Rivers: Why Continued Federal Support for the Sustainable Rivers Program Pays Off
This policy brief outlines the strategic and economic value of the Sustainable Rivers Program (SRP), emphasizing its role in modernizing dam operations to deliver ecosystem services while maintaining authorized uses across the United States. Drawing on a TNC-commissioned report by RTI International, the brief highlights case studies from four river systems, showing how the program delivers measurable ecological and economic benefits through collaborative partnerships and science-based decision-making. It recommends sustained and increased federal funding to expand SRP’s footprint and maximize its impact on water infrastructure policy.
Subject Tags
- Policy, Finance, and Markets
- Rivers
Abstract
The Sustainable Rivers Program (SRP) is the United States’ largest initiative to modernize dam operations to restore and protect river systems while maintaining critical infrastructure functions such as hydropower, flood risk reduction, and navigation. Established in 2002 through a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), SRP has expanded from eight river systems to 65 rivers across 27 USACE districts, influencing nearly 15,000 river miles. This remarkable growth reflects the success that USACE districts have achieved through SRP projects. SRP offers a proven, scalable model for delivering outsized benefits to communities nationwide.
Suggested Citation
The Nature Conservancy. Securing the Future of U.S. Rivers: Why Continued Federal Support for the Sustainable Rivers Program Pays Off. Policy Brief no. 4. Arlington, VA: The Nature Conservancy, April 2026.
TNC Authors
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Jim Howe
Senior Policy Advisor for Freshwater
The Nature Conservancy
Email: jhowe@TNC.ORG