The Bureau of Reclamation runs the dams and water systems in your region, and you reach them through a field office, not a national phone line

The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency that operates dams, reservoirs, and water delivery systems across the western United States. It is part of the Department of the Interior. When you need information about a specific dam, water rights, recreation access, or water management in your area, you contact the regional office that manages that facility — not a central headquarters.

The Bureau divides its work into five geographic regions: Pacific Northwest, California Great Basin, Upper Colorado, Lower Colorado, and Missouri Basin. Each region has multiple field offices, and each field office handles the dams and projects within its territory. Finding the right office means knowing which dam or water system you are asking about, then locating the office responsible for it.

The Bureau's website at usbr.gov lists all regional and field offices with phone numbers, mailing addresses, and the specific projects each one manages. You can also search by state or by the name of the dam or project you are interested in.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bureau of Reclamation operates through five regional offices and dozens of field offices across the West, each responsible for specific dams and water systems.
  • You find the correct office by identifying which dam or water project you need information about, then locating the field office that manages it on usbr.gov.
  • Field offices handle recreation permits, water rights questions, dam safety information, and public records requests for their specific projects.
  • Contact information for every Bureau office — phone, email, mailing address, and office hours — is published on the official website with no login required.

The five regional offices and what they cover

The Pacific Northwest Region manages dams and water systems in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Its regional office is in Boise, Idaho, and it oversees projects including the Yakima Project and the Minidoka Project.

The California Great Basin Region covers California and Nevada. Its regional office is in Sacramento, California, and it manages the Central Valley Project, which includes Shasta Dam, Folsom Dam, and many others.

The Upper Colorado Region covers Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Its regional office is in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it manages projects in the Colorado River basin, including Glen Canyon Dam and Flaming Gorge Dam.

The Lower Colorado Region covers Arizona, Southern Nevada, and Southern California. Its regional office is in Boulder City, Nevada, and it manages Lake Mead, Lake Havasu, and the Colorado River Aqueduct.

The Missouri Basin Region covers Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Its regional office is in Billings, Montana, and it manages the Missouri River main stem projects, including Fort Peck Dam and Garrison Dam.

How to locate the field office for a specific dam

Start at usbr.gov and use the "Projects" or "Offices" search tool. Type the name of the dam or the name of the water project you are asking about. The search result will show you the field office responsible for that facility, along with its phone number, mailing address, email contact, and office hours.

If you know your state but not the specific dam name, you can browse by state on the Bureau's website. Each state page lists all the Bureau's projects and offices in that state. You can also call the regional office for your state, and staff there can direct you to the correct field office.

Field offices are usually open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some offices have limited hours or may require an appointment for certain services. The website listing for each office shows its current hours and any special procedures for visits or phone calls.

What you can contact a field office about

Field offices answer questions about recreation at their reservoirs — boat launch hours, campground information, fishing regulations, and day-use area access. They issue recreation permits and can tell you about seasonal closures or facility maintenance.

They handle water rights and water delivery questions for agricultural and municipal users. If you hold a water right or contract with the Bureau, your field office processes requests, answers billing questions, and provides documentation.

They provide dam safety information and emergency procedures. If you live downstream from a dam, the field office can explain the spillway operations, flood warning systems, and what to do in an emergency.

They respond to public records requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). If you need historical documents, environmental reports, or project records, you submit the request to the field office that manages that project.

They also manage environmental compliance and can answer questions about fish passage, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, and other environmental programs at their facilities.

Contacting the Bureau by phone, mail, or email

Each field office publishes a direct phone number on usbr.gov. Call during posted office hours. Have the name of the dam or project ready, and be specific about what you are asking. Staff can usually answer routine questions when ready or tell you what documents to request.

For written requests — especially FOIA requests or formal water rights inquiries — use the mailing address listed on the office's webpage. Include your name, contact information, and a clear description of what you need. Mail can take several weeks, so call first if you need a response by a certain date.

Many field offices now accept email inquiries. The website for each office lists the email address for general questions and the specific email for FOIA requests. Email is often faster than mail but slower than a phone call.

Finding information about a dam you do not live near

You do not have to live in a region to contact its field office. The Bureau manages water that flows across state lines, so you might have questions about a dam in another state — whether for research, recreation planning, or water rights that affect your area.

Search for the specific dam name on usbr.gov. The project page will list the field office, its contact information, and often a summary of the dam's operations, history, and current status. You can call or email that office with any question about the facility.

If you are researching a dam's history or environmental impact, the field office can direct you to published reports, environmental assessments, and historical documents. Some of this material is posted online; other documents require a FOIA request.

What to do if you cannot find the right office

If you are unsure which office manages a particular dam or water system, start with the regional office for the state where the dam is located. Regional office staff can identify the correct field office and transfer you or provide direct contact information.

You can also call the Bureau's main information line or use the contact form on usbr.gov. Explain which dam or area you are asking about, and the Bureau will route your inquiry to the correct office.

If you are having trouble reaching an office by phone, try email or mail. Include your phone number so staff can call you back if they need clarification. Response times vary, but most inquiries receive a reply within one to two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit a Bureau of Reclamation office in person?

Yes. Most field offices are open to the public during business hours, though some require an appointment for certain services. Check the office's webpage for hours and any special procedures. Bring identification and be specific about what you need — staff can answer questions or direct you to the right department.

How do I request public records from the Bureau?

Submit a FOIA request to the field office that manages the project or holds the records you want. The office's webpage lists the FOIA contact email and mailing address. Include a clear description of what you are looking for, and expect a response within 20 business days, though complex requests may take longer.

What if the dam I am asking about is not on the Bureau's website?

Not all dams in the West are operated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Some are run by the Army Corps of Engineers, state water agencies, or private utilities. If you cannot find your dam on usbr.gov, try searching the Army Corps of Engineers website or your state's water agency.

Can I get information about water rights or contracts by phone?

Yes, but you will need your contract number or water right identification. Call the field office that serves your area. They can confirm your account status, explain your water delivery schedule, and answer questions about billing or changes to your contract.

How do I report a problem or safety concern at a Bureau dam?

Call the field office that manages the dam when ready. If it is an emergency — such as unusual spillway activity or flooding — call the emergency number listed on the office's webpage. For non-emergency concerns, the regular office number will connect you to the right department.