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 on September 1, 2026 and close October 31,2026.

UDMT Informational Meetings

Date

Time

Location
Informational Webinar Sept 22 6:00-7:00 pm Virtual
Previous Meetings
UDMT Q&A Webinar Slides
UDMT Batch #1 Informational Webinar Slides
UDMT Batch #1 Informational Webinar Recording
Other Meetings* Date Time Location Address
Authority DMP/UDMT Aug 25 1:00- 2:00 pm Emery County Water Conservancy District 50 S 100 E, Castle Dale
Authority DMP/UDMT Aug 25 6:00- 7:00 pm Department of Natural Resources 319 N. Carbonville Rd, Price
Authority DMP/UDMT Aug 27 6:00- 7:00 pm Duchesne Water Conservancy District 275 N 800 E, Roosevelt
Authority DMP/UDMT Sept 1 11:00-12:00 noon Green River City Hall 460 E Main St, Green River
Authority DMP/UDMT Sept 2 6:00-7:00 pm Department of Natural Resources 318 N Vernal Ave, Vernal
Authority DMP/UDMT Sept 3 4:00-5:00 pm Central Utah Water Conservancy District 766 N Center, Duchesne

*A brief update on the UDMT program will be provided at these meetings but the program is not focus of the meetings.

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 kicked off in Fall of 2025 and a set of Pilot projects were installed in Spring of 2026. The Batch #1 groups of the program are currently in the planning and installation phases. The Batch #2 application period will open in Fall 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.  JDE and IED will select and provide program eligible measurement equipment to the qualified applicant for installation.

Maintenance: Operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements will be provided for each project. The water user will be responsible for the O&M upon the completion of the project through at least September 2029 (the duration of the funding). If needed, support and training on O&M will be available from JDE and IEI through 2029.

Ownership: Ownership of the measurement equipment  will be transferred immediately to the water user upon the completion of a signed Implementation Agreement with UCR and the completion and inspection of the project.

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.

Program Contacts