H.R. 9497: Water Resources Development Act of 2026

This bill would update and reauthorize a wide range of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resources activities and projects. It covers navigation, flood control, water supply, drought resilience, dam safety, dredging, environmental restoration, and local water and wastewater infrastructure in many parts of the country.

What it would do overall

The bill would create or revise several Corps offices and programs, including offices focused on navigation, water supply, outreach, and alternative project delivery. It would also direct the Corps to improve efficiency in how it plans, studies, permits, and carries out projects, including by using faster review methods, electronic permit tracking, and updated cost-sharing rules.

The bill would authorize many new studies, feasibility reviews, project modifications, and reports. It also makes changes to existing projects, including increasing funding caps or broadening project purposes in some cases, while deauthorizing or repealing some project features that are no longer needed or are being replaced.

Navigation, dredging, and harbor work

A major part of the bill focuses on navigation and ports. It would support dredging, harbor maintenance, channel improvements, and related sediment management. In some cases, it raises funding limits or streamlines rules for dredging and real estate matters tied to water projects. It also creates reporting and coordination requirements for harbor funds and debris removal.

The bill includes expedited work or studies for some key navigation and harbor projects, and it authorizes several new or updated studies to improve waterways and shipping access.

Flood control, levees, and dam safety

The bill would strengthen flood-risk planning and levee safety. It creates a Levee Owners Board to advise on levee reliability and safety. It also updates how the Corps handles flood studies, pushing them to consider broader approaches such as nonstructural solutions and compound risks, like floods combined with other hazards.

In addition, the bill updates the National Dam Safety Program, including deadlines and definitions related to dams. It also promotes dam safety work and authorizes related assessments and repairs.

Water supply, drought, and resilience

The bill expands attention to water supply and drought resilience. It authorizes continuing authority programs for flood-risk reduction and drought-resiliency projects, and it calls for studies and planning related to reservoir operations and backup water supply. One provision specifically requires a backup water-supply study for the Washington, D.C. area.

It also includes provisions for sediment management, wildfire-related water issues, and regional restoration efforts that may help water systems adapt to changing conditions.

Project studies, reporting, and policy updates

The bill would require many Corps and Government Accountability Office reports, studies, and policy updates. These cover topics such as project delivery, waterways, dredging, flood control, emergency repairs, Tribal policies, and information-sharing about projects.

It also directs policy revisions and better consultation in some areas, including mitigation transparency and coordination with affected interests. Several provisions focus on workforce needs, district realignments, recreation access, and improved public information about projects.

Local projects and infrastructure funding

Large portions of the bill list specific projects across the country. These include flood control, navigation, ecosystem restoration, reservoir operations, and other water resources projects. The bill authorizes new feasibility studies, modifications to existing projects, and in some cases funding adjustments.

It also provides or increases funding for water, wastewater, stormwater, and related environmental infrastructure in many cities, counties, tribes, and regions. These provisions are aimed at local water treatment, drainage, sewer, and stormwater systems.

Project changes and deauthorizations

Some sections remove or change older project authorizations. The bill repeals or deauthorizes certain flood and navigation projects or parts of projects, and it modifies others to reflect current needs. It also clarifies federal ownership in one case and requires maintenance agreements for certain flood channels.

One provision requires a study on property disposition at Table Rock Lake, including first-refusal rights for the local non-federal interest and possible land-exchange efforts, with a report to Congress due within 18 months.

Relevant Companies

Likely directly impacted publicly traded companies include:

• PCG — Pacific Gas and Electric Company could be affected by dam safety, water supply, and infrastructure-related provisions in areas where it operates water or hydro-related assets.
• DUK — Duke Energy may be affected by dam safety, reservoir operations, and water infrastructure provisions, especially where hydroelectric or reservoir assets are involved.
• EXC — Exelon could be indirectly affected by water infrastructure, reservoir, and dam-related provisions in regions where it has utility operations.
• AWK — American Water Works may be affected by expanded water supply, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure funding and related project authorizations.
• VMC — Vulcan Materials could be affected indirectly by increased dredging, construction, and infrastructure activity tied to the bill’s projects.
• MLM — Martin Marietta Materials may benefit indirectly from increased civil works and water infrastructure construction activity.
• FLR — Fluor could be impacted through Corps project delivery, engineering, and construction work associated with authorized projects.