The Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) reconnects urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts to improve our Nation’s water systems and promote their economic, environmental and social benefits.
The UWFP began with seven pilot locations in June of 2011, with the goal of working closely with local partners to restore these urban waterways. Today, there are 21 designated Urban Waters locations, with partnerships working within:
Albuquerque, NM; Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Denver, CO; Grand Rapids, MI; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; Newark, NJ; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Northwest Indiana; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Raleigh, NC; San Antonio, TX; St. Louis, MO; San Juan, PR; Seattle, WA; Toledo, OH; and Washington, DC.
Story Maps
Renew the Blue River: Blue River (MO) Urban Waters Federal Partnership
Since 2011, the EPA Urban Waters Federal Partnership program has expanded to 20 different locations nationwide. In June 2013, the Blue River in Kansas City, MO became a federal partnership location, setting out to work with the community and local organizations to revitalize the Blue River Watershed.
Restoration and Resilience in NYC: Bronx and Harlem River Watersheds Urban Waters Federal Partnership
The Bronx and Harlem River Watersheds Urban Waters Federal Partnership was designed to reconnect marginalized communities in the Bronx to healthy and clean waterways and riverfronts. The Partnership is led by the Department of the Interior and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) New York Water Science Center. The Bronx and Harlem Partnership and its Ambassador aim to coordinate and elevate the efforts of over 40 state and community partners in both watersheds, finding common ground between agencies and communities in support of these critical waterways.
Community Engagement and Planning for Watershed Resilience: Grand Rapids Urban Waters Federal Partnership
The focus of Grand River/Grand Rapids UWFP has been on the restoration of the rapids in the Grand River as it flows through downtown Grand Rapids. The Partnership location also seeks to accelerate and coordinate projects that are critical to improving water quality and public health, restoring forest resources, and fostering community stewardship in the urban portion of the watershed. As the Partnership has grown, it has evolved into a comprehensive and ever-expanding network of partners with projects that support both upstream and downstream communities throughout the watershed. Moving forward, the intention is to grow the Partnership and connect community members with their waterway. One of the ways in which the Partnership is expanding is on the topic of watershed resilience planning and community engagement.
Impact Stories
- Science You Can Use: Baltimore’s Urban Waters Actionable Science Flood Team
- USGS Brings Science for Decision-Making to San Antonio Federal Partnership
- A Partnership of Yes: Middle Rio Grande Partnership Works Stronger Together
- The South Platte: an Urban River and Critical Watershed
- #EstuarioRevive: Monitoring, Restoration and Resiliency in the San Juan Bay Estuary
- Green the Green Network: Coordinated Revegetation Along the Green-Duwamish River
- Partners in Northwest Indiana are Leading People to the Water
- Proctor Creek Watershed: Green Infrastructure That Benefits Community & Environment
- Addressing Baltimore’s Vacant Land Problem
- Urban Waters Federal Partnership Works to Restore and Increase Access to the Los Angeles River