Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer

Idaho’s water regulators have redirected $10 million toward Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer recharge projects after Gov. Brad Little promised the money to farmers and ranchers last month.

After a couple of dry seasons, Idaho water managers say they’re once again starting to put back more water into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources surpassed its annual target for replenishing the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer.

Nearly every part of Idaho has been grappling with water supply over the past few years due to drought.

Recent drought years have meant the benchmarks to reverse the aquifer’s decline aren’t being met.

Water managers found June precipitation was strong enough to get by, plus the state changed the methodology for determining who needs to be curtailed and when.

The Idaho Department of Water Resources estimates about 900 groundwater rights dating back as far as 1953 could be shut off this year.

The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer provides drinking water for about 300,000 people.

The budget requests are meant to address increasing resources need to manage water in Idaho, as the population continues to grow at a fast rate.

This interview originally aired on Sept. 1, 2020.The Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer is a critical drinking water source for southern and eastern Idaho. More…