The money will be used to restore the riverbeds of the Santa Clara and Virgin rivers to try to prevent future flooding in the county. The Natural Resource Conservation Service, which is part of the Agriculture Department, had already committed $6 million to flood repairs.

The agency has estimated it will take $66 million more to finish the riverbed repairs.

Snowpacks across the Virgin River Basin contain about twice the normal levels of water, according to official measurements.

"A record snowpack is waiting to come down these two rivers this spring. I'd like to thank the [Natural Resource Conservation Service] for doing everything in their power to make sure our citizens will be protected when it happens," said Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Hatch sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns last month pressing for the funds. Last week, he met with Sylvia Gillen, the Utah head of the conservation service, and was assured the $3.2 million was coming soon. He praised the agency's efforts, saying it has been "heroic from Day One of this flood."

Sen. Bob Bennett said in a statement that the money will be helpful in the county's efforts to repair its watershed.

"I am pleased that we continue to make progress toward securing the necessary money to repair the flood damage in southern Utah," Bennett said.

Bennett, who is chairman of the Senate subcommittee that sets the Agriculture Department's budget, said he would keep working to get more money for the area.