USGS Cooperative Matching Funds

CMF is combined with funds from over 1,500 partners for projects that monitor and assess water resources in every state, protectorate, and territory of the U.S. The flexibility of CMF allows USGS and its partners to respond to significant or emerging water issues in a timely manner; sometimes this results in local issues being raised to the regional or national level. Because consistent USGS national protocols are used to monitor and assess water resources, water data are directly comparable at the regional and national scale and water issues in a specific location, watershed, or aquifer can be compared to those in other geographic regions and across different time periods. Such comparisons allow for large-scale synthesis and problem-solving across state lines, in regional watersheds or aquifers, and nationally. CMF are also used to develop innovative approaches for monitoring, modeling, managing, and delivering water data and science to our partners, while also providing information that protects human lives and property, promotes healthy ecosystems, and supports sustainable economic development.   

CMF was formerly known as the Cooperative Water Program (CWP), and in 2016 was moved to three programs within the Water Mission Area:

• For more information about CMF used for streamgage and groundwater monitoring networks, flood inundation, debris flow, floods, and more, visit the Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program.
• For more information about CMF used for water use data, groundwater-flow models, drought studies, low flow/ecological flow, lakes and reservoir capacity studies, and and more, visit the Water Availability and Use Science Program.
• For more information about CMF used for water-quality studies and data, lake studies, urban studies, ecosystems, including Harmful Algal Blooms, and more, visit the National Water Quality Program.

If you are interested in discussing a possible collaboration with the USGS, please contact the local USGS Water Science Center.