Idaho Department of Water Resources

On April 28, Gary Spackman, the director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources, issued a blanket order for all 34 counties south of the Salmon River.

Because of low precipitation so far in 2022, drought conditions are likely to expand in Idaho this spring and summer.

The agreement sets the stage for water management in the Wood River watershed for the next three years.

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.

One Boise water expert said enough rain fell to knock Idaho’s drought conditions down a level, at least in the southern part of the state.

This is just about the worst drought that’s ever been recorded in the Wood River Valley, and it’s been going on for a little more than two years. Streamflow and precipitation in the Big Wood, Little Wood and Big Lost Rivers could set record lows.

A new deal between groundwater users and surface water users will allow irrigation to continue in the Bellevue Triangle through August 15.

Farmers who irrigate their crops with groundwater in a region of south central Idaho will need to turn off their water this week, according to an order from Idaho’s Department of Water Resources.

Some farmers in the Wood River Valley could have their water shut off this summer in the middle of their growing season. Ongoing extreme drought conditions and long-standing water rights disputes are to blame.

Idaho Matters checks in with Natural Resources Conservation Service Water Supply Specialist Erin Wharton and Idaho Snow Survey Supervisor Corey Loveland about the state's water and snow picture.