News
Good news for Yakima basin irrigators " it's not getting worse
2+ hour, 38+ min ago (355+ words) Published 8: 30 am Friday, June 5, 2026 The Bureau of Reclamation reaffirmed that Yakima River basin farmers with junior water-rights can expect 52% of their full allotments, a percentage that has held steady since April. The no-change prediction presented June 4 contrasts with last year....
IWRB approves irrigation rehab project, tours Boise River return-flow site
4+ day, 3+ hour ago (593+ words) Published 8: 00 am Monday, June 1, 2026 The Idaho Water Resource Board May 21-22 approved an infrastructure rehabilitation project proposed by Minidoka Irrigation District and toured a Nampa-area site where planned work aims to improve Boise River return flows. IWRB approved a resolution to…...
Idaho creates Mountain Home Plateau water sustainability program
3+ week, 1+ day ago (443+ words) Published 11: 00 am Thursday, May 14, 2026 The Idaho Water Resource Board voted to create a Mountain Home Plateau regional sustainability program and to set aside $8 million to fund it. The program supports planning and building infrastructure needed to deliver surface water to…...
Idaho water supply challenges persist despite wet, cool April
3+ week, 3+ day ago (444+ words) Published 11: 30 am Monday, May 11, 2026 Water supplies in most of Idaho remain well below normal despite a wet April, USDA's National Resources Conservation Service reported. Statewide snowpack was 58% of normal as of May 1 and is expected to continue its steady seasonal…...
Yakima basin irrigation outlook steady as water rationing nears
4+ week, 1+ hour ago (462+ words) Published 10: 00 am Friday, May 8, 2026 The Bureau of Reclamation projects Yakima River basin irrigators with junior water-rights will receive 52% of their normal water allotments, an outlook unchanged from one month ago. The May 7 forecast passed for goods news. April was relatively…...
Lost River groundwater districts to join Eastern Snake Plain mitigation plan
4+ week, 2+ day ago (457+ words) Published 7: 00 am Tuesday, May 5, 2026 A new agreement enables groundwater districts in a swath of Idaho's east central mountains to avoid curtailment. Groundwater districts in the Little Lost, Big Lost and Upper Big Lost river basins can join the 2024 stipulated mitigation…...
Lost River groundwater curtailment stayed
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (476+ words) Published 7: 40 am Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Groundwater users in the Big Lost and Little Lost river basins are protected from curtailment temporarily. Idaho Department of Water Resources Director Mathew Weaver granted an April 17 motion by the Surface Water Coalition and Eastern Snake…...
Bentz introduces bill to strengthen local input in water management
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (416+ words) Published 10: 00 am Friday, April 17, 2026 Rep. Cliff Bentz, Oregon's lone Republican congressman, has introduced legislation to ensure meaningful local input in the operation of federal water projects. "Water is the lifeblood of the West, and the people who rely on it…...
Boise River managers may skip flood control
2+ mon, 1+ day ago (375+ words) Published 11: 30 am Friday, April 3, 2026 Boise River flow increased slightly April 1, but unusual water-supply conditions could mean reservoir managers minimize or forego seasonal flood-risk management operations. The slight increase in flow accommodates water deliveries related to irrigation, said hydrologist Ryan Hedrick,…...
Seven landowner groups sign MOUs for Odessa groundwater replacement
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (529+ words) Published 11: 20 am Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Seven landowner groups have signed new memorandums of understanding with the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District to build systems replacing groundwater from declining wells with Columbia River surface water in the Odessa Subarea. "This is encompassing…...