Official Government Website

News Releases

The following press releases were issued by the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Idaho Water Resource Board.

NumberDatePress Release
2024-22September 18, 2024Notice of Intent: Lewiston Orchards Irrigation District
2024-21September 18, 2024Notice of Intent: Boise Project Board of Control
2024-20September 17, 2024IWRB approves funds for Aging Infrastructure Grants new ESPA recharge sites
2024-19September 5, 2024New grants to fund conversion of groundwater irrigation to surface water
2024-18August 9, 2024ESPA gains 800,000 acre feet of water from Spring 2023 to 2024
2024-17July 31, 2024IWRB eyes adding water supply in Bear River Basin
2024-16July 29, 2024Press release on flood grant awards and new grant program
2024-15June 26, 2024Applications due Aug 2 for Aging Infrastructure Grants for water projects
2024-14June 20, 2024SWC, ESPA ground water districts reach settlement agreement, avoid curtailment in 2024
2024-13June 13, 2024Director Weaver pauses water right curtailment compliance inspections
2024-12June 6, 2024Two Magic Valley-area ground water districts move to comply with approved mitigation plans and avoid curtailment
2024-11June 4, 2024Idaho Water Resource Board recharges 379000 acre feet of water into the ESPA
2024-10May 30, 2024IDWR Director issues curtailment order for six ESPA groundwater districts; order affects groundwater users whose water rights are junior to March 31, 1954
2024-09May 28, 2024IWRB officials pleased to see construction work wrapping up on Priest Lake outlet dam, providing more flexibility in lake management
2024-08May 14, 2024More water needed for Idaho Water Supply Bank
2024-07May 10, 2024IDWR Director finds ESPA ground water districts' mitigation plans deficient in addressing water shortfall; ground water users have a week to resolve issue
2024-06May 1, 2024IWRB invites applications for 2024 state flood management grants
2024-05April 19, 2024IDWR finds 74,000 acre-foot shortfall in April 2024 Methodology Order; Junior groundwater users could face potential curtailment
2024-04April 4, 2024IDWR assigning Water Resource Agent in Bonners Ferry beginning in mid-April to assist with wide range of water-related matters
2024-05April 3, 2024IWRB officials highlight passage of two bills by Idaho Legislature
2024-04March 27, 2024IDWR sending 1,600 notices to water users in Basin 13 for filing water rights claims in the Bear River Basin Adjudication
2024-03January 23, 2024Idaho Water Resource Board approves 18 new Aging Infrastructure Grants for $7.7M
2024-02January 17, 2024IDWR to host public information meetings Jan. 23-24 on the Bear River Basin Adjudication
2024-01January 10, 2024Clark Fork - Pend Oreille River Basin Adjudication is proceeding on schedule; next deadline for filing claims is in Summer 2024
2023-22November 20, 2023Idaho Water Board approves 19 new Aging Infrastructure Grants for $11M
2023-21October 26, 2023Applications due Dec 1 for Aging Infrastructure Grants
2023-20September 21, 2023Idaho Water Board member testifies on drought and water policy
2023-19September 18, 2023Idaho Water Board tours Lemhi water projects in Salmon
2023-18July 28, 2023Governors Water Summit to provide snapshot of key water issues statewide
2023-17July 28, 2023Idaho Water Board approves 10 flood management grants for $1M statewide
2023-16July 24, 2023Idaho Water Board approves $59 M
2023-15July 20, 2023IDWR Director: Updated July methodology order finds no injury to senior or junior water users in 2023 irrigation season
2023-14July 5, 2023Idaho Water Summit to be held Aug
2023-13May 24, 2023Reclamation officials provide updated costs for Anderson Ranch enlargement
2023-12May 8, 2023IDWR creates final management plan for Grand View-Bruneau Ground Water Management Area
2023-11May 4, 2023Treasure Valley Ground Water Flow Model has been completed
2023-10April 25, 2023IDWR updates Methodology for predicting Snake River shortfalls
2023-09April 19, 2023IDWR to host public workshops in Montpelier to assist with water rights claims in the Bear River Basin Adjudication
2023-08April 11, 2023IWRB invites applications for 2023 state flood management grants
2023-07April 4, 2023Idaho Water Board approves updates in Lemhi Basin Settlement Agreement
2023-06April 4, 2023Idaho Legislature approves new Water Board appointments
2023-05April 3, 2023Flood 10 completes flood management project in Middleton
2023-04April 3, 2023Idaho Water Board approves $1.7M for new aquifer recharge site
2023-03March 28, 2023IDWR to host public workshops in Sandpoint to assist with filing water rights claims
2023-02January 24, 2023Idaho Water Board approves 18 Aging Infrastructure Grants
2023-01January 19, 2023Many reasons to count our blessings in 2023
2022-26December 16, 2022Clark Fork Pend Oreille adjudication is continuing on schedule
2022-25November 28, 2022IDWR to host public meeting on proposed management plan for Grand View-Bruneau Ground Water Management Area
2022-24November 22, 2022Idaho Water Board approves loans for water projects
2022-23November 8, 2022Public meetings coming up on Bear River Basin Adjudication in Montpelier
2022-22November 7, 2022IDWR Extends Temporary Moratorium in the Malad Valley Ground Water Management Area
2022-21November 3, 2022IWRB application period for 2nd round of aging infrastructure grants
2022-20October 21, 2022Snake River Basin Moratorium Order
2022-19September 20, 2022Idaho Water Board approves ARPA funds for multiple projects
2022-18September 19, 2022Wood River water users meet terms of GWMA plan in first year
2022-17September 9, 2022Idaho Water Board extends public comment period on criteria for Regional Water Projects
2022-16July 26, 2022Idaho Water Board tours Mountain Home water projects
2022-15July 25, 2022Idaho Water Board approves 10 flood management grants statewide
2022-14July 21, 2022IDWR mid-season methodology order predicts 52,600 acre-foot water shortfall for Snake River; junior ground water users face curtailment
2022-13June 15, 2022IWRB opens application period for new aging infrastructure grant program
2022-12May 23, 2022Northern Idaho region seeing major uptick in water activity
2022-11May 6, 2022IDWR order predicts 162,600 acre foot water shortfall on Snake River; junior ground water users face curtailment by May 20
2022-10April 29, 2022IDWR Director issues Emergency Drought Declaration for 34 counties in Southern Idaho
2022-09April 25, 2022IWRB invites applications for 2022 state flood management grants
2022-08April 20, 2022Idaho Water Board seeks feedback on funding criteria
2022-07April 20, 2022IDWR to host public workshops to assist with water rights claims
2022-06March 31, 2022Public Lands Foundation presents national stewardship award to Wesley Hipke
2022-05March 29, 2022Water Right Delivery Call filed by Beer family on natural spring
2022-04March 14, 2022IDWR to host public meeting on proposed management plan for Big Wood River Ground Water Management Area
2022-03March 7, 2022Idaho Legislature approves new IWRB appointments
2022-02January 24, 2022Idaho Water Board selects three major water projects to finance with ARPA funds
2022-01January 24, 2022Surface and ground water users agree to terms in Big Wood GWMA discussions
2021-15November 29, 2021Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River Basin Adjudication is under way, on schedule
2021-14November 29, 2021Board inks contract with Reclamation for Anderson Ranch project
2021-13September 20, 2021Priest Lake locals praise the Board for collaborative project
2021-12September 7, 2021IDWR sending out commencement notices for Clark Fork - Pend Oreille adjudication
2021-11July 27, 2021IWRB details $843 million list of major water infrastructure projects needed statewide
2021-10July 27, 2021IWRB approves 10 flood-management grants, approves funds to explore changes in management of Ririe Reservoir
2021-09July 22, 2021IDWR updated methodology order predicts 170,000 acre-foot water shortfall for Snake River, junior ground water users face curtailment if they're not part of a mitigation plan
2021-08June 28, 2021IDWR Director issues curtailment order to 140 junior ground water users in the Bellevue triangle area in the Wood River Basin
2021-07May 26, 2021IDWR sends curtailment notices to 129 water users with junior water rights
2021-06May 25, 2021Idaho Water Resource Board and Bureau of Reclamation to work on project design as next step for 6-foot raise of Anderson Ranch Dam
2021-05May 7, 2021Snake River SWC requests IDWR to administer surface water rights in the Portneuf River Basin in sync with Snake River water rights
2021-04May 5, 2021IDWR Director initiates administrative proceeding on water rights in the Wood River Basin, Bellevue triangle area in particular
2021-03April 30, 2021IDWR issues order to Snake Plain water users for 2021 irrigation season, predicting 40,500 acre-foot water shortfall; junior GW users may be affected
2021-02March 22, 2021Idaho Water Resource Board approves priorities for allocating $70M in major water infrastructure projects statewide
2021-01January 25, 2021Idaho Water Resource Board takes key steps toward raising Anderson Ranch Dam to create additional storage water
2020-12November 24, 2020Idaho Water Resource Board agrees not to divert 200 cfs
at Milner Dam, leaving water in the river for hydropower and other uses
2020-11November 20, 2020State of Idaho files petition to launch Bear River Basin Adjudication;
up to 14,000 water rights claims may be filed
2020-10November 2, 2020IDWR to host first Big Wood GWMA Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 4 in Shoshone
2020-09October 23, 2020State of Idaho files petition to launch Clark Fork-Pend Oreille River Basins Adjudication; up to 9,000 water rights claims may be filed
2020-08October 15, 2020Idaho Water Resource Board approves plan to build embankment at MP 31 recharge site to prevent water from affecting BLM road, fence
2020-07September 4, 2020Malad ground water users encouraged to join application for BOR WaterSmart grant to help cover costs for flow meters
2020-06May 20, 2020Idaho Water Resource Board recharges about 447,950 acre-feet of water into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer in winter 2019-20
2020-05May 1, 2020IDWR sends curtailment notices to about 70 Magic Valley ground water users with junior water rights
2020-04April 7, 2020Idaho Water Resource Board opens application period for 2020 State Flood Management Grants; proposals due by June 19, 2020
2020-03March 16, 2020Rangen delivery call to cause curtailment of junior ground water rights not covered by an approved mitigation plan
2020-02January 29, 2020Idaho Water Resource Board close to 90,000 acre-feet of recharge so far in winter 2019-2020
2020-01January 28, 2020Citizens in Palouse Basin reducing ground water use through conservation, but many people are not aware of the problem, officials say
2019-18December 18, 2019IWRB ESPA Final Report sent to Speaker Bedke
2019-17November 20, 2019IWRB reviews options for large recharge sites in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer region
2019-16October 7, 2019Malad Valley Water Measurement District meeting set for Nov. 4, 2019
2019-15September 25, 2019Idaho Water Resource Board moves forward with 10-year review of Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer sustainability initiatives
2019-14August 15, 2019IDWR issues NOV to Ada County for water flow disruption at Barber Dam
2019-13August 14, 2019IDWR Schedules Public Meetings on Sept. 9-11 to Provide Updates on Phase 3 of the Northern Idaho Adjudications
2019-12July 30, 2019Idaho Water Resource Board approves 10 Flood-Managment grants for $870,000
2019-11July 25, 2019ESPA water volume decreases slightly: up 1.8 million acre-feet since 2015
2019-10June 25, 2019IDWR encourges water users to continue filing water claims for the Palouse Basin Adjudication
2019-09June 13, 2019IDWR issues curtailment order to Eastern Snake Plain ground water users for 2019 irrigation season
2019-08June 4, 2019IDWR officials will be in Moscow June 11-13 to assist with water rights claims for the Palouse Basin Adjudication
2019-07May 15, 2019Idaho Water Resource Board tours Lower Clearwater Water Exchange collaborative project with the Nez Perce Tribe
2019-06May 8, 2019IDWR officials to host public workshops in Moscow to assist with water rights claims for the Palouse Basin Adjudication
2019-05April 19, 2019Idaho Water Resource Board seeks grant applications for flood damage, flood management, and prevention
2019-04April 17, 2019IDWR issues order to Snake Plain water users for 2019 irrigation season, predicting 20,900 acre-foot shortfall; junior ground water pumpers may be affected
2019-03April 10, 2019IDWR requests water rights claims for Palouse Basin Adjudication
2019-02March 26, 2019Idaho Water Resource Board expects to recharge 290,000 acre-feet of water into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer in Winter 2018-19
2019-01January 31, 2019Idaho Water Resource Board lauds ESPA cities settlement agreement that contributes 7,650 acre-feet annually to help restore the ESPA
2018-26November 30, 2018Lewiston Plateau deep aquifer study provides insight into areas where groundwater development may be sustainable or less reliable
2018-25November 30, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board expects to recharge 170,000 acre-feet of water into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer in Winter 2018-19
2018-24October 24, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board approves $4.3 million loan to N. Fremont Canal System for Phase 3 of Marysville gravity-pressurized irrigation pipeline project
2018-23September 21, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board tours multiple fish-enhancement projects in the Lemhi River area, approves $232,930 in flood management grants
2018-22September 20, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board approves $115,460 flood-management grant to Nez Perce County and Nez Perce SWCD to prevent damage to rural road
2018-21August 8, 201836 groundwater users in ESPA region face curtailment for failing to install groundwater flow meters; most water users in compliance
2018-20July 31, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board approves flood-management grants, moves ahead with 2nd phase of Priest Lake project
2018-19July 31, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board approves 10 flood-management grants statewide, $3.7 million for ESPA recharge infrastructure
2018-18July 13, 2018Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer sees largest annual increase in water volume in more than 80 years
2018-17June 7, 2018Jo Ann Cole-Hansen of Lewiston appointed to Idaho Water Resource Board
2018-16May 22, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board expects to recharge 524,000 acre-feet into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer in winter 2017-18
2018-15May 22, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board approves $600,000 for improvements to Priest Lake
2018-14May 21, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board seeks grant applications for flood damage, flood management, and prevention
2018-13May 17, 2018IDWR issues final notice requiring compliance with ground water flow meter order
2018-12April 5, 2018Experts to discuss statewide water supply Thursday, April 12
2018-11March 27, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board expects 440,000 acre-feet of recharge flow into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer due to water surplus
2018-10March 26, 2018Inquiry into the potential for recharging the Wood River Aquifer shows poor aquifer-retention rates
2018-09March 5, 2018Experts to discuss statewide water supply Friday, March 9
2018-08February 20, 2018IDWR reminds groundwater pumpers of April 1 deadline for installing groundwater meters
2018-07February 16, 2018Idaho Senate approves appointment of Dr. John Rusche to the Idaho Water Resource Board
2018-06February 16, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board passes 250,000 acre-foot milestone for aquifer recharge, expects to reach 370,000 acre-feet this spring
2018-05February 2, 2018Experts to discuss statewide water supply Friday, February 9
2018-04January 30, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board expects to set new record with up to 370,000 acre-feet of recharge into ESPA in 2018
2018-03January 30, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board supports funding package for improving Priest Lake outlet dam, breakwater
2018-02January 8, 2018Idaho Water Resource Board expected to surpass 200,000 acre-feet of recharge into ESPA this week, may reach 300,000+ a.f. this spring
2018-01January 3, 2018Water Experts to Assess the Water Supply at January 2018 Meeting
2017-22November 10, 2017Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer figures to get 280,000 acre-feet of water recharge this winter
2017-21October 27, 2017Priest Lake study recommends replacing outlet dam, improving Thorofare and maintaining pool levels for summer recreation
2017-20September 27, 2017Roger Chase, Chairman of the Idaho Water Resource Board, to address the U.S. Senate Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power
2017-19September 22, 2017Idaho Water Resource Board tours potential route for new Mountain Home AFB water supply project, hears community support
2017-18September 5, 2017<!---->Dr. John Rusche of Lewiston named to Idaho Water Resource Board<!---->
2017-17August 2, 2017Idaho Water Resource Board approves funds for two additional projects to increase capacity to Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer recharge program
2017-16July 20, 2017Steve Stuebner PR & Marketing wins 2-year contract with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, Idaho Water Resource Board
2017-15July 6, 2017Unprecedented team effort by local, state and federal agencies helps communities cope with epic winter of 2016-17 and spring flooding
2017-14May 22, 2017Idaho Water Resource Board approves funding for phase II study of Lewiston Regional Aquifer to learn more how it functions
2017-13May 18, 2017Idaho Water Resource Board stops Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer recharge operations; surplus flows no longer available on Snake River
2017-12May 4, 2017Experts to discuss statewide water supply Thursday, May 11
2017-11April 13, 2017New law allows for temporary use of surplus water to prevent floods, recharge aquifers or address water-quality issues
2017-10April 12, 2017Water experts to discuss water supply Thursday, April 13
2017-09March 28, 2017Idaho Water Resource Board approves recommendations on four dredge-mining permits on the South Fork of the Clearwater River
2017-08March 28, 2017Idaho Water Resource Board approves $2.4 million sale of Pristine Springs fish hatchery to College of Southern Idaho
2017-07March 2, 2017Water Experts to Assess the Water Supply at March 2017 Meeting
2017-06February 16, 2017Senate confirms four Idaho Water Resource Board members
2017-05February 10, 2017IDWR Director issues statement regarding Oakley Dam
2017-04February 7, 2017Idaho Water Resource Board passes resolution opposing fish-passage for salmon, steelhead above Hells Canyon complex
2017-03February 3, 2017Water Experts to Assess the Water Supply at February 2017 Meeting
2017-02January 26, 2017Snowpack looks strong in Idaho, except in the Panhandle
2017-01January 3, 2017Water Experts to Assess the Water Supply at January 2017 Meeting
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