Assessing Water Quality Trends and Suspended Sediment Surrogates Above and Below Reservoirs Using High-Frequency Sensors in New Mexico and Southern Colorado

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), through its Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), has released a funding opportunity titled “Assessing Water Quality Trends and Suspended Sediment Surrogates Above and Below Reservoirs Using High-Frequency Sensors in New Mexico and Southern Colorado.” This opportunity is being administered under the Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) and falls under Assistance Listing Number 12.630. The announcement was issued on June 26, 2025, with a two-phase submission process. The opportunity is structured to support a high-resolution water quality monitoring initiative that focuses on river systems interacting with reservoirs in arid and semi-arid regions. The funding opportunity invites applications for cooperative agreements that focus on maintaining and operating a network of real-time, high-frequency water quality sensors installed above and below SPA-managed reservoirs across New Mexico and southern Colorado. The work includes continuous monitoring of key water quality parameters such as temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity using YSI Sondes, with sensors maintained every 4–6 weeks. Data will be managed through Aquarius Time-Series software and made publicly accessible via HydroShare, in adherence to FAIR data principles. Research outcomes are expected to elucidate sedimentation patterns, reservoir degradation over time, and broader watershed impacts. This effort supports five core objectives: (1) the collection and dissemination of real-time water quality data; (2) the assessment of episodic, seasonal, and interannual water quality trends; (3) the use of turbidity and streamflow records to compute suspended sediment concentrations and loads; (4) the application of machine learning to analyze surrogate signals for sediment transport; and (5) the publication of findings in peer-reviewed journals. The research activities are closely aligned with the Department of Defense’s mission and environmental priorities, with substantial government involvement anticipated throughout the performance period, including a 50% contribution to operations and maintenance by SPA staff. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to non-federal members of the Colorado Plateau CESU network. Applicants must demonstrate advanced capabilities in high-frequency sensor network operations, sediment and water quality analysis, Aquarius Time-Series data review, and peer-reviewed scientific publishing. All applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and adhere to DoD research-related certifications and disclosures. Applicants are also required to submit current and pending support disclosures and abide by relevant conflict of interest policies. The application process is structured in two phases. Phase I consists of submitting a Statement of Interest (SOI) by 12:00 PM CT on July 26, 2025. Based on the evaluation of SOIs, select applicants will be invited to submit full proposals under Phase II, with a deadline of 12:00 PM CT on August 11, 2025. Submissions can be made via email or Grants.gov. A data management plan, budget justification, biographical sketches, and disclosure documents are required at the Phase II stage. The total expected funding for the cooperative agreement is $950,000 across five years, with a projected award ceiling of $150,000 in Year 1 and $200,000 for subsequent years. The government may fund one or more awards depending on the quality of applications and available budget. Reporting requirements include quarterly financial reports, annual progress reports, and compliance with data transparency regulations. For further inquiries, the primary points of contact are Kisha M. Craig (Kisha.M.Craig@usace.army.mil) and Zavien T. Beal (Zavienl.T.Beal@usace.army.mil).

CESU membership is mandatory and must be current. Submit SOI before full proposal.