Stream Flow Enhancement

Wildlife Conservation Board · State of California

At a glance

Stream Flow Enhancement is an open California state grant opportunity from the Wildlife Conservation Board (State of California). Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Total estimated funding is $30M. Applicant types listed as eligible include nonprofit, public agency and tribal government. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Opened: Nov 19, 2024
Close date: Ongoing
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $30,000,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: State
Matching funds: Not Required — Cost share is not required but may be beneficial, in particular to complete a larger project. Applications with higher proportions of secured cost share contribution towards total project cost will score more points through the “Cost Share” application evaluation criterion.
Funding method: Advances & Reimbursement(s)
Estimated number of awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Estimated award amounts: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: June 30, 2027
Expected award announcement: Continuous
Letter of intent: Required
Geography: Statewide
How to submit: Online: https://wcb.ca.gov/Grants

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Nonprofit
Public Agency
Tribal Government

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

Nonprofit, public agency, federally recognized Indian tribes, state Indian tribes, private landowners, public utilities, mutual water companies

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

The Stream Flow Enhancement Program (SFEP) funds projects that enhance stream flows across the state of California. The SFEP defines enhanced streamflow to mean: a change in the amount, timing, and/or quality of water flowing down a stream, or a portion of a stream, to benefit fish and wildlife.

Description

The following are funding priorities for the stream flow enhancement projects:• Implementation projects resulting in measurable increases in stream flow• Acquisition projects resulting in permanent or long-term in-stream flow dedications• Projects that are focused on a watershed or regional approach• Projects in critical watersheds for salmonids• Projects that help to complete previously funded projects• Projects that evaluate stream flow conditions and stream responses to other stream flow enhancement projects Funded projects are also consistent with the objectives and actions outlined in the California Water Action Plan, with the primary focus on enhancing flow in streams that support anadromous fish; support special-status, threatened, endangered, or at-risk species; or provide resilience to climate change. For projects that may be funded by general fund stream flow enhancement funds, Full Applications will be given additional points that enhance outflows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.Eligible project categories are Planning, Scientific Studies, Implementation, and Acquisition. Applications for Planning and Scientific Study projects must be stand-alone (i.e., not combined with other project categories).

How to apply

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Read the program guidelinesThe agency's solicitation or guidelines set eligibility details, scoring criteria and required documents. Open ↗
Confirm eligibility and fitCheck your organization type and location (see Geography above).
Submit the letter of intentThis program asks for a letter of intent before the full application; check the guidelines for its due date.
Find out how to submitOnline: https://wcb.ca.gov/Grants Open ↗
Request letters of support and partner commitmentsPartners need time to write and sign letters; ask early.
Finish a full draft of the application and budgetFollow the guidelines' format exactly; state programs often require specific forms and attachments.
Ask the program contact any questions earlyAaron Haiman · wcbstreamflow@wildlife.ca.gov Open ↗
Internal review and sign-offLeave time for leadership or board approval and a final proofread.
Submit while funds remainSubmit a few days early and keep your submission confirmation.

Past applications & awards

Historical data · not a prediction

Reported by the agency for this listing

Fiscal year 2025–2637 applications · 13 awards
Fiscal year 2024–2510 applications · 8 awards

Counts as published on the California Grants Portal. Award counts can read zero until decisions are announced.

Awards published: 8
Total awarded: $12,768,000
Median award: $1,238,500 calculated
Smallest – largest: $267,000 – $3,564,000

Recipients by type: Nonprofit (4), Public Agency (4)

Areas served: Mendocino County (3), Humboldt County (1), San Luis Obispo County (1), Mono County (1), Tehama County (1), Siskiyou County (1)

Largest awards to organizations

Salmonid Restoration FederationBlack Oak Ranch Water Conservation and Flow Enhancement$3,564,000 · FY 2024–25
Mendocino County Resource Conservation DistrictNavarro Watershed-Mill Creek Streamflow Enhancement$2,749,000 · FY 2024–25
California Department of Fish and WildlifeRough Creek Native Fish Restoration$1,890,000 · FY 2024–25
Sanctuary ForestVanauken Creek Habitat Enhancement$1,479,000 · FY 2024–25
Resource Conservation District of Tehama CountyDeer Creek Spring-run Chinook Habitat Assessment$998,000 · FY 2024–25
Sanctuary ForestSouth Fork Lost River Enhancement$957,000 · FY 2024–25
Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation DistrictStenner Creek Watershed Enhancement$864,000 · FY 2024–25
The Nature ConservancyFrench Creek Water Rights Dedication$267,000 · FY 2024–25

Source: California Grants Portal grant award data. Awards to individuals are counted but not named. Past awards show who was funded; they do not predict future decisions.

Program contact (as published)

Aaron Haiman
wcbstreamflow@wildlife.ca.gov
1-916-926-8835

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “Stream Flow Enhancement”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Nonprofit, Public Agency and Tribal Government. It adds: “Nonprofit, public agency, federally recognized Indian tribes, state Indian tribes, private landowners, public utilities, mutual water companies” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “Stream Flow Enhancement”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $30,000,000.

How do I apply for “Stream Flow Enhancement”?

Applications go directly to Wildlife Conservation Board, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://wcb.ca.gov/Grants. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

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