The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop,
and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and
economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is best known for the dams, powerplants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states. These water projects led to homesteading and promoted the economic development of the West. Reclamation has constructed more than 600 dams and reservoirs including Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and Grand Coulee on the Columbia River. Today, Reclamation is the largest wholesaler of water in the country bringing water to more than 31 million people, and providing one out of five Western farmers (140,000) with irrigation water for 10 million acres of farmland that produce 60% of the nation's vegetables and 25% of its fruits and nuts. Reclamation is also the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States. Its 53 powerplants annually provide more than 40 billion kilowatt hours generating nearly a billion dollars in power revenues and produce enough electricity to serve 3.5 million homes.
The recreation areas developed as a result of Reclamation water projects are among the Nation's most popular for water-based outdoor recreation. Reclamation projects include approximately 6.5 million acres of land and water that is, for the most part, available for public outdoor recreation. Twelve (Reclamation water projects have been designated as National Recreation Areas that are managed by the NPS or USFS. Eleven national wildlife refuges have been created as a result of a Reclamation Federal water project.