Utah Diversion Measurement and Telemetry Program 

Overview

The Utah Diversion Measurement and Telemetry (UDMT) Program is a federally funded, collaborative initiative between the Upper Colorado River Commission (UCRC) and the Colorado River Authority of Utah (Authority) with support from Jones and DeMille Engineering (JDE).  The intent of this Program is to enhance water monitoring infrastructure across the Upper Colorado River Basin within the State of Utah by installing real-time measurement and telemetry devices on diversion structures.

Eligible water users will receive a measurement structure and telemetry devices, installed at their point of diversion, at no cost to them.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the UDMT program is to support the implementation of the Upper Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan (DCP) with the following key elements: 

  • Facilitate implementation of conservation and drought mitigation measures
  • Improve the understanding of existing water use in Utah
  • Enhance water supply and runoff forecasting capabilities
  • Optimize water distribution systems
  • Enable data driven water management
  • Provide federal funding opportunities for water users in Utah

Related Documentation

 APPLICATION

The application period for the second round of projects will open in Summer 2026. Please check back for more details coming soon!

FAQ’s

Approximately $2 million of federal funding is available for installation of flow measurement and telemetry equipment in the Upper Colorado River system in Utah. The funding was split into three funding groups: Pilot, Batch #1, and Batch #2. Individual project funding limits will be informed by industry-standard cost estimates. Final funding amounts will be dependent on individual project details.

The program does not require a cost share and cost share will not be considered as part of the Program.

Eligible applicants may include canal companies, water conservancy districts, tribes, and individual water rights holders and must meet the following criteria:

  • Located in the Utah portion of the Upper Colorado River system
  • Have ownership in a valid water right associated with their project and appropriate permission to engage in the Program
  • Be willing to agree to the implementation requirements of the Program

Agricultural, municipal, and industrial water users are all eligible to apply for the program.

  • Locations that are measuring a source diversion, return flow, or reservoir elevation or outflow
  • The installation of new measurement and telemetry equipment or upgrades to existing, non-functional measurement and telemetry equipment.

  • Must comply with federal funding terms and conditions, including Buy America requirements
  • Are subject to NEPA compliance and other relevant state and federal permitting
  • Will require real-time measurement and telemetry
  • Will collect data that will be made publicly available through the Utah Division of Water Rights
  • Will be inspected by a member of the Project Team
  • Must be operated and maintained through Program duration (2029) 
  • Will be owned, operated, and maintained by the selected applicant after the Program has ended

Within available funding limits, participation in the Program will cover the cost of measurement and telemetry equipment, including any necessary cellular and data plans, engineering and installation support, and operations and maintenance support through 2029.

Project applications will be reviewed by the UCRC and the Authority for both eligibility  and assessed according to a predetermined set of ranking criteria.  Based on funding availability and final ranking, projects will be selected. A sample ranking criteria sheet is included in the application and also available on the program website. 

 The program is expected to kick off in Fall of 2025 with the first projects being installed in Spring of 2026. The Pilot and Batch #1 groups of the program are currently in the planning and installation phases. The Batch #2 application period is expected to open in Summer 2026 with the first projects of that batch being installed in Spring 2027. The projects will be operated and maintained through at least September 2029.

Installation: The projects will be installed by JDE and IEI. In select cases, UCRC and JDE may work with qualified applicants who would like to self-install their project. 

Maintenance: Operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements will be provided for each project. The O&M responsibilities will be dependent on ownership and the timing of the transfer of ownership. For many projects, support and training on operations and maintenance will be available from JDE and IEI through 2029.

Ownership: Project ownership will either be transferred immediately upon the completion of the project or no later than 2029. Details will be clarified in each individual project implementation agreement.

After 2029, the owner of the measurement device and telemetry equipment will continue to operate and maintain the equipment in accordance with the program standards and provide real-time data to the Utah Division of Water Rights.

For most projects, the telemetry systems will likely use Campbell Scientific equipment. However, each project will be assessed individually, and the most appropriate equipment will be selected. Considerations will include selecting equipment that best meets the project’s needs and ensures long-term reliability and longevity. Data will be transmitted at hourly or shorter time intervals.

UDMT Information Sessions

Location

Date

Time

Address
Information Webinar: Virtual 11/10/2025

6:00 PM

UDMT Informational Webinar Slides

UDMT Informational Webinar Recording
Roosevelt 11/11/2025 6:00 PM  Jones and DeMille Office: 520 West Hwy 40, Roosevelt UT
Manila 11/12/2025 6:00 PM Daggett County Courthouse: 95 North 1st West, Manila UT
 Vernal 11/18/2025 6:00 PM Vernal City Hall/Community Room: 374 E Main St. Vernal UT
Price 12/2/2025 6:00 PM Jones and DeMille Office: 1675 South Hwy 10, Price UT
Monticello 12/3/2025 6:00 PM Jones and DeMille Office:696 North Main, Monticello, UT
Q/A Webinar: Virtual 1/12/2026 6:00 PM

UDMT Q&A Webinar

*A virtual option will be available for all meetings. Please use the link below*

Zoom Link:
https://jonesanddemille.zoom.us/j/4357605844?pwd=cGJ4SzhFNnptWFkyOWZuVmhSS0FZdz09
Meeting ID: 435 760 5844     Passcode: 8267         One tap mobile+16699006833,,4357605844#  

Program Contacts