Opportunity Information: Apply for BOR UC 16 N016
The Eddy Covariance Towers grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR UC 16 N016) is a Bureau of Reclamation discretionary grant focused on improving how consumptive water use from irrigated agriculture is estimated in the Upper Colorado River Basin. It builds directly on the Upper Colorado River Commission-led Assessing Agricultural Consumptive Use (AACU) studies (Phase I in 2013 and Phase II in 2016), which concluded that better, standardized climate and flux measurements were needed to strengthen and independently verify consumptive use calculations across the basin. The work centers on creating and supporting an "Upper Basin Climate Network" that can provide consistent, research-grade data for ongoing water-use analysis and method validation.
The project area spans the four Upper Division states in the Colorado River Basin: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. The overall concept is to formalize a network that includes multiple types of stations: existing weather stations, existing stations that need upgrades to meet the ASCE-EWRI 2005 standards, new weather stations installed according to those same ASCE-EWRI 2005 protocols, and four new eddy covariance (EC) tower sites. The EC towers are intended to provide direct measurements of land-atmosphere exchanges (such as evapotranspiration-related fluxes) that can be used as an independent check on consumptive use estimates derived from weather-based methods, models, or remote sensing.
The scope of work is split into two major phases. The first phase, Installation, covers purchasing four complete eddy covariance tower systems and procuring new sensors needed to upgrade the existing weather stations in the network. The selected contractor is responsible for leading the final siting and installation of the towers and sensors, including the physical infrastructure installation required to get the stations operating. While the contractor handles technical deployment, state representatives play a key coordination role by working with landowners to secure agreements that allow the equipment to be installed on appropriate sites.
The second phase, Operations, focuses on keeping the network functioning reliably and producing defensible research-quality datasets. This includes routine tower maintenance, sensor recalibration, and rigorous data quality assurance and quality control procedures. The operational work also extends beyond field upkeep into the data pipeline itself: the contractor is expected to manage data input, conduct data analysis, and deliver research data products to the Upper Colorado River Commission for use in continued consumptive use research and evaluation.
In terms of applicant and award details, eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The opportunity anticipated a single award with a ceiling of $650,000 under CFDA 15.560. The original application deadline listed was July 29, 2016, and the posting date indicates it was created on July 15, 2016. Overall, the grant is essentially a targeted investment in high-quality field measurement infrastructure and long-term data stewardship, aimed at reducing uncertainty in agricultural water consumption estimates across a critical, water-constrained river basin.Apply for BOR UC 16 N016
- The Bureau of Reclamation in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Eddy Covariance Towers" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.560.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-07-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-07-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $650,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Eddy Covariance Towers grant opportunity?
The Eddy Covariance Towers grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BOR UC 16 N016) is a Bureau of Reclamation discretionary grant focused on improving how consumptive water use from irrigated agriculture is estimated in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The effort is designed to strengthen and independently verify consumptive use calculations by expanding and supporting a basin-wide, research-grade measurement network.
What problem is this grant trying to solve?
The grant targets uncertainty in agricultural consumptive use estimates in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Prior basin studies concluded that more consistent, standardized climate and flux measurements were needed to strengthen results and provide independent verification of consumptive use methods (including weather-based approaches, models, and remote sensing).
Which prior studies does this opportunity build on?
This opportunity builds directly on the Upper Colorado River Commission-led Assessing Agricultural Consumptive Use (AACU) studies: Phase I (2013) and Phase II (2016). Those studies identified the need for improved and standardized measurement data to support stronger consumptive use analysis across the basin.
What is the "Upper Basin Climate Network" mentioned in the opportunity?
The Upper Basin Climate Network is the concept for a formalized network of stations that produce consistent, research-grade climate and flux measurements. The network is intended to support ongoing water-use analysis and validation of consumptive use estimation methods over time.
Where is the project located?
The project area spans the four Upper Division states in the Colorado River Basin: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
What types of monitoring stations are included in the network concept?
The network is described as including multiple station types: existing weather stations, existing stations requiring upgrades to meet ASCE-EWRI 2005 standards, new weather stations installed following ASCE-EWRI 2005 protocols, and four new eddy covariance (EC) tower sites.
How many eddy covariance towers are planned under this opportunity?
Four new eddy covariance (EC) tower sites are included in the described project concept.
What are eddy covariance (EC) towers used for in this project?
In this project, EC towers are intended to provide direct measurements of land-atmosphere exchanges, including evapotranspiration-related fluxes. These measurements can serve as an independent check on consumptive use estimates produced by other approaches (weather-based methods, models, or remote sensing).
What standards or protocols are referenced for weather station upgrades and installations?
The opportunity references ASCE-EWRI 2005 standards and protocols as the benchmark for upgrading existing stations and installing new weather stations to ensure consistent and standardized measurements across the network.
How is the scope of work structured?
The scope of work is split into two major phases: (1) Installation and (2) Operations.
What activities are included in Phase 1 (Installation)?
Phase 1 covers purchasing four complete eddy covariance tower systems and procuring new sensors needed to upgrade existing weather stations in the network. The selected contractor is responsible for leading final siting and installation of the towers and sensors, including the physical infrastructure needed to get stations operating.
Who is responsible for selecting final tower sites and installing equipment?
The selected contractor is responsible for leading final siting and installation of the towers and sensors, including installation of the physical infrastructure required for operations.
What role do state representatives play in this project?
State representatives are described as playing a key coordination role by working with landowners to secure agreements that allow equipment to be installed on appropriate sites.
What activities are included in Phase 2 (Operations)?
Phase 2 focuses on maintaining reliable network operations and producing defensible research-quality datasets. Activities include routine tower maintenance, sensor recalibration, and rigorous data quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC).
Does the operations phase include data management and analysis?
Yes. The operations phase extends beyond field upkeep into the data pipeline. The contractor is expected to manage data input, conduct data analysis, and deliver research data products.
Who receives the research data products produced under this grant?
Research data products are to be delivered to the Upper Colorado River Commission for use in continued consumptive use research and evaluation.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated a single award.
What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The ceiling amount stated for the opportunity is $650,000.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity lists CFDA 15.560.
What are the key dates provided for the opportunity?
The posting date indicates it was created on July 15, 2016, and the original application deadline listed was July 29, 2016.
What kind of outcomes is this grant intended to support?
The grant is described as a targeted investment in high-quality field measurement infrastructure and long-term data stewardship to reduce uncertainty in irrigated agricultural consumptive use estimates across a critical, water-constrained river basin.
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