
Bureau of Indian Affairs - WaterCorps
Informally known as WaterCorps, this program is a 26-week long service term that includes professional training and in-the-field, hands-on learning in the study of water resources. WaterCorps members are exposed to a broad array of subjects ranging from basic surface and ground water hydrology, hydro-power, flood control, data collection & analysis, groundwater movement and more. Members are placed with local, state, and federal agencies to gain hands on experience.
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WaterCorps members assists graduates from the University of New Mexico in establishing and installing new piezometers sites to help them in their study and data collection.
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WaterCorps member identifies hybrid trout species when removing a screw trap from the Lyre River. Members may support population studies, habitat assessments, water quality testing, and macroinvertebrate surveys to support fisheries work!
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WaterCorps members will learn how to evaluate species composition, health of waterways, and general field data collection techniques such as peak-flow data, steamflow, and gage height.
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WaterCorps members will be learning how to collect water benchmarks and water flows and levels in surface waters like streams and lakes. Further, they will be exposed to groundwater sampling to understand the water levels in wells and aquifers.
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WaterCorps Members will be exposed to hydropower system infrastructure such as power substations, electrical switching stations, and power generating facilities
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WaterCorps members will be operating advanced irrigation technology to maximize agricultural output. The members could be working on one of the Bureau of Indian Affairs 15 large scale irrigation projects that are active in the Western United States.
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WaterCorps members will be assigned mentors that will take care to build each member into a future water resource technician. Water resources are the fundamental building block of life, our program greatly admires those who are willing to work at maintaining crucial structures that deliver these resources. Conservation Legacy alongside the Bureau of Indian Affairs ensures accountability by consistent check-ins and a final program review to provide the best experience.
WaterCorps Projects
BIA WaterCorps members will support a variety of projects depending on their host site. Please review the project types below to explore the diversity of work WaterCorps members complete!
NOW OPEN! Host Site Applications for WaterCorps
Interested in supporting WaterCorps members? Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to apply to host BIA WaterCorps members from April-October 2023. Projects must support water resources tied to tribal nations. Applications will be evaluated based on project scope, supervisor support, and site inclusivity for indigenous members.
Difficulty with site application link?
Download BIA Water Corps Host Site Application and send to krista@conservationlegacy.org.