On April 21, 2023, the Department issued a revised Methodology for Determining Material Injury to Reasonable In-Season Demand and Reasonable Carryover in the Surface Water Coalition Delivery Call.

For more information visit IDWR’s News Page and FAQ document on the revised Methodology and April 2023 Forecast Supply Methodology (Steps 1-3) Order.

The 5th Amended Methodology Order and the April 2023 Forecast Supply Methodology (Steps 1-3) Order are available to view and download on IDWR’s Surface Water Coalition Delivery Call page.

On May 1, 2023, the Department sent this Notice of Possible Curtailment of Ground Water Rights with Priority Dates Junior to December 30, 1953 to water users. Click on the link above to view the notice and list of ground water rights subject to potential curtailment.

Throughout the year, IDWR posts updates on Priest Lake water levels and outlet dam operations. To view the April update on Priest Lake, visit IDWR’s Lake Management page.

In January, the USGS and IDWR completed the Treasure Valley Flow Model depicting how groundwater flows in the aquifers beneath the Treasure Valley. The model is available for the public to use on the USGS’s website.

For more information, see IDWR’s Treasure Valley Groundwater Flow Model page and Information Brief.

IDWR receives many questions regarding the management of groundwater resources in the state, including domestic wells. To help answer those questions and more, IDWR compiled this Groundwater Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document.

The Department is reviewing its administrative rules, consistent with the Governor’s Zero Based Regulation, Executive Order 2020-01. For more information visit, IDWR’s Rulemaking page or follow the links below for specific rulemaking activities.

2023/2024 Rulemaking

IDWR is sending out commencement notices for the Bear River Basin Adjudication in 5 mailing groups through 2023/2024.

• File Online – The new online portal to file an Adjudication Claim or submit a Water Right Application for Permit is now available. Printable forms are available here.

For more information, see the Bear River Basin Adjudication Brochure.

On October 21, 2022, the Department issued an amended moratorium order expanding the existing Eastern Snake River Plain Moratorium.

View the order here: Amended Snake River Basin Moratorium Order

For more information, visit IDWR’s Moratorium Orders and News Release pages, or contact IDWR’s Water Rights Section at (208) 287-4800.

File an Application for Lemhi Basin Streamflow Maintenance Online: File an Application for a New Water Right

For more information, visit the Lemhi Basin Comprehensive Settlement Agreement page, see the Lemhi Basin Streamflow Maintenance Water Right Applications FAQs, or contact IDWR’s Water Rights Section at (208) 287-4800.