USDA is investing up to $103 million in post-disaster recovery and the rehabilitation of aging dams in 19 states.

"The Emergency Watershed Protection program is vital to communities repairing damage and making improvements to reduce future damage from natural disasters," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $647 million to help local governments restore watersheds and protect communities from the aftermath of devastating natural disasters like Hurricanes Irene and Sandy and fires and flooding in the Southwestern United States."

, NRCS will invest $93 million in Emergency Watershed Protection Program assistance. (Photo: Vitakot/Thinkstock)

Assistant Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Kirk Hanlin announced the funding March 31 at an event in Mother Neff State Park outside Temple, Texas. In 2015, excessive rains overwhelmed the drainage systems of many communities and threatened, damaged or destroyed culverts, bridges and roads. NRCS will invest more than $21 million to help Texas communities remove debris and stabilize streambanks to better protect drainage canals, utilities and roads from future damage.

Related story: DamWatch tool helps monitor dams and control flooding

Overall, NRCS will invest $93 million in Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program assistance to help state and local governments carry out much needed recovery projects to address damage caused by floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters. About $59 million will be used in recovery projects in some of the hardest hit areas in Texas, Mississippi and Utah. About $34 million will assist projects in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming. A summary of projects by state is available .

An additional $10.4 million in Watershed Rehabilitation Program funding is available to help communities rehabilitate aging dams that protect lives, property and infrastructure like drinking water in rural communities downstream. Of this, $4.8 million will be used in Texas to complete the design and construction of four watershed rehabilitation projects in Ellis and Williamson counties, and $3.7 million will be used in Utah for the construction of a dam project within the cities of Lehi and Highland. About $500,000 will be used to assess up to 25 aging dams nationwide this year.

Related story: Farm bill investment funds dam projects

USDA watershed projects provide an estimated $2.2 billion in benefits annually to local communities nationwide. Since 1948, USDA has helped local governments construct nearly 12,000 dams in 47 states and Puerto Rico to help prevent flooding and erosion damage, provide recreation opportunities, improve water supplies for drinking and irrigation, and create habitat for wildlife.

Source: USDA