Idaho Water Resource Board Overview
Sustainability of Idaho's Water Resources
Water is the foundation of Idaho’s economy and culture; the lives and livelihoods of Idahoans depend on a reliable supply of water. Idaho has many rivers, lakes, reservoirs, groundwater aquifers, geothermal resources, and natural springs that support diverse economic and community interests including agriculture, aquaculture, industrial uses, public drinking water supplies, energy development, recreation, and more.
Sustainability is the active stewardship of Idaho’s water resources to satisfy current uses and assure future use of this renewable resource in accordance with State law and policy. Under guidance from the Governor, the Idaho Water Resource Board works to develop and implement actions that promote water sustainability.
What is the Idaho Water Resource Board?
The Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB or “Board”) was established by the Idaho Legislature in 1965 following a constitutional amendment. The Board operates as a separate entity from the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), with the Board and the IDWR Director working in a coordinated, peer-level relationship to support effective water management across the state. While IDWR administers water rights, carries out regulatory responsibilities, and develops tools to monitor Idaho’s water supply, the Board focuses on long-term planning and policy through the State Water Plan. The Board also manages state-funded programs and financial resources dedicated to the development, protection, and improvement of Idaho’s water infrastructure.
Board Members
There are eight members of the IWRB, appointed by the governor, who serve four-year terms. Current members of the Board are Jeff Raybould, Chair; Jo Ann Cole-Hansen, Vice Chair; Dean Stevenson, Secretary; Patrick McMahon, Albert Barker, Dale Van Stone, Marcus Gibbs, and Brian Olmstead.
| Order | Board Member | Contact Information | Appointed | Present Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Chairman and Member - At Large | SAINT ANTHONY, ID Jeff.Raybould@idwr-webdev.idaho.gov | April 29, 2011 | January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2027 |
| 2 |  Vice Chair and Member - At Large | LEWISTON, ID JoAnn.ColeHansen@idwr-webdev.idaho.gov | June 7, 2018 | January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2027 |
| 3 |  Secretary and Member - District 3 | PAUL, ID Dean.Stevenson@idwr-webdev.idaho.gov | April 1, 2021 | April 1, 2021 - January 1, 2029 |
| 4 |  Member - At Large | SUN VALLEY, ID Pat.McMahon@idwr-webdev.idaho.gov | January 16, 2023 | January 16, 2023 - January 1, 2027 |
| 5 |  Member - District 2 | BOISE, ID Al.Barker@idwr-webdev.idaho.gov | January 1, 2013 | January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2029 |
| 6 |  Member - District 1 | HOPE, ID Dale.VanStone@idwr-webdev.idaho.gov | January 1, 2015 | January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2027 |
| 7 |  Member - District 4 | GRACE, ID Marc.Gibbs@idwr-webdev.idaho.gov | January 16, 2023 | January 16, 2023 - January 1, 2029 |
| 8 |  Member - At Large | TWIN FALLS, ID Brian.Olmstead@idwr-webdev.idaho.gov | April 1, 2021 | April 1, 2021 - January 1, 2029 |
Idaho’s Managed Recharge Program works to restore the ESPA
Historic Water Settlement Agreement in Southern Idaho
IWRB Water Resources Planning
The IWRB is responsible for planning for the conservation, development, use, and management of water resources in the state of Idaho. Primary planning efforts of the IWRB include production of:
- The Idaho State Water Plan – Summarizes policies which are the guiding framework for water resource management in Idaho.
- Comprehensive Basin Plans – Inventorying and assessing regional water resources in a specific river basin, waterway, aquifer, or geologic areas so that the values are protected.
- Comprehensive Aquifer Plans – Addressing future water needs and proactively avoiding conflicts over competing water needs in the future.
- State Protected River Plans
The IWRB also participates in planning activities to address drought, future demands, and project-related studies and assessments pertaining to specific water resources of the state.
Board Programs, Projects & Initiatives Map
To view the interactive map click the image below.
Idaho Water Resource Board Committee Assignments
The IWRB established several standing committees to consider actions related to IWRB programs and associated issues. Each committee provides recommendations to the IWRB when it is considering activities and actions. The Chairman of the Board appoints committee members and, with Board support, refers issues to the germane committee. New committees may be established as issues arise. Final actions are only taken by the full Board.
| Committee | Purpose | Members | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquifer Stabilization | Develops policy and direction to determine Board support and participation in aquifer stabilization activities in the ESPA, Big Wood, Treasure Valley and other areas. Reviews project proposals and monitors program effectiveness. | Dean Stevenson, Chair Al Barker Brian Olmstead Pat McMahon | Active |
| Cloud Seeding | Develops policy and direction to determine Board Support and participation in clouding seeding projects statewide. Reviews project proposals and monitors program effectiveness. | Marc Gibbs, Chair Jeff Raybould Al Barker Pat McMahon | Active |
| Financial Programs | Develops policy and direction for the IWRB's financial programs including loans, grants, revenue bonds, and project expenditures. Develops guidance for standard interest rates and terms for loans. Oversees revenue generating features of IWRB's programs. Recommends loan approvals to full Board. | Jo Ann Cole-Hansen, Chair Jeff Raybould Dean Stevenson Dale Van Stone Marc Gibbs | Active |
| Streamflow Enhancement and Minimum Streamflow | Develops policy and direction for the Upper Salmon Streamflow Enhancement (Water Transactions) Program together with program partners, including review of project proposals. Develops policy and direction for the IWRB's minimum streamflow program, including development of new MSF water rights and protection and administration of existing MSF water rights. | Pat McMahon, Chair Dean Stevenson Dale Van Stone Brian Olmstead | Active |
| Upper Snake River Advisory | A committee chaired by a Water Board member to discuss Upper Snake Basin reservoir, river, and recharge operations with relevant parties that make up the committee. | Brian Olmstead, Chair | Active |
| Water Resource Planning | Develops policy and direction for the IWRB's planning programs, including State Water Plan, Basin Plans, and CAMPs. Oversees progress and completion of State Water Plan, Basin Plans, and CAMPs. Oversees plan implementation progress. Makes recommendations about new planning efforts and approaches. | Al Barker, Chair Jeff Raybould Marc Gibbs Dean Stevenson Jo Ann Cole-Hansen | Active |
| Water Storage Projects | Develops policy and direction for Idaho's efforts to increase water storage capacity, including surface storage and underground storage. Oversees studies of potential storage projects, and considers future steps for potential storage projects. Oversees IWRB's operational managed recharge program on ESPA, and investigations of managed recharge in Treasure Valley and other areas. | Brian Olmstead, Chair Jeff Raybould Jo Ann Cole-Hansen Al Barker Marc Gibbs | Active |
| Water Supply Bank | Develops policy and direction for the Water Bank through oversight of the Board's bank and rental pools. Coordinates with IWRB-appointed local committees. Reviews proposed changes to Water Supply Bank statutes, rules and rental pool procedures. Makes recommendations about the establishment of new rental pools. | Al Barker, Chair Marc Gibbs Brian Olmstead Dale Van Stone | Active |
| Water Supply Management Committee | Develops policy and direction for water management issues. | Jeff Raybould, Chair Dean Stevenson Brian Olmstead Jo Ann Cole-Hansen | Active |
Upcoming IWRB Meetings
IWRB Meeting Materials & Schedules
Visit the IWRB Meeting Materials & Schedules webpage for upcoming meeting information, past meeting information, and archived meeting materials.
IWRB Authority & Responsibility
Legislation
Article XV, Section 7 of the Idaho Constitution called for the creation of a “Water Resource Agency,” but it did not establish the agency. In 1965, the 38th legislature established the Idaho Water Resource Board and defined its organization, powers, and duties. Board organization and duties are established in Idaho Code §§ 42-1732 through 42-1734.
The Board was created primarily because of concern that a more politically-powerful state or federal government, or other entity, would gobble up Idaho water. When the Board was created, it was provided with authority, subject to legislative approval, to “formulate and adopt a comprehensive state water plan for conservation, development, management, and optimum use of all unappropriated water resources and waterways of the state in the public interest.”
When the Board and IDWR merged in 1974, Idaho Code § 42-1732 was modified to place the Board within IDWR. To assist the Board, the legislature created additional duties for the IDWR Director “to perform administrative duties and such other functions as the Board may from time to time assign to the Director to enable the Board to carry out its powers and duties.” (Idaho Code § 42-1805(6))
Authority
In addition to formulating and implementing the state water plan and comprehensive basin plans, which includes authorities to designate natural and protected rivers, the Board also provides financial assistance for water development and conservation projects. The Board has two accounts, water management and revolving development, from which it makes loans and grants. A third account, the Aquifer Planning and Management Fund, was added by the Idaho Legislature in 2008 (Idaho Code § 42-1780). This fund was established for technical studies, facilitation services, hydrologic monitoring, measurement, and Comprehensive Aquifer Planning and Management. Idaho Code § 42-1779 authorized the Board to conduct a Comprehensive Aquifer Planning program across the state. The Board can also issue debt in the form of revenue bonds, where the proceeds are loaned to the entity requesting the financial assistance. The loan repayments are then the revenue used to repay the debt service on the bonds. The Board also adopts rules for well construction, well driller licensing, injection wells, geothermal resources, mine tailings impoundments, safety of dams, and stream channel alterations. The Idaho Water Supply Bank is also the Board’s responsibility as well as implementing legislative mandates as was done in 1995 with managed aquifer recharge.
Membership
The Board is comprised of eight members appointed by the Governor to a four-year term. No more than four can be from the same political party, and to ensure representation of water users across the state, one member is appointed from each of four districts and no more than three can be from any one district.
Meetings
The Board holds public meetings every 6 to 8 weeks but periodically has special board meetings to address specific issues that require immediate action. As needed, the Board establishes committees to work on specific tasks or programs. View the current list of board committees here.
For Board Meeting schedules and materials, visit the IWRB Meeting Materials & Schedules webpage.
Additionally, IDWR and IWRB meetings are posted to Townhall Idaho for more meeting information.
Archived IWRB Documents & Information
News & Updates
- 2023 Governor’s Water Summit AGENDA
- Bear Lake Storage – Press Release
- Bear Lake Storage – Report
- Lemhi Settlement
- Letter from IWRB to Speaker Bedke Regarding ESPA CAMP Progress Report
- ESPA CAMP Progress Report – Final
- Appendices for ESPA CAMP Progress Report
- Elmore County Water Supply Report
- Treasure Valley Water Supply Demand Forecast
Board Hearings
Public Listening Session: Regarding Suction Dredge Mining in the South Fork Clearwater River – Boise
- Public Comment: Gay Richardson – December 25, 2017
- Public Comment: Idaho Conservation League members – December 12-20, 2017
- Public Comment: Gay Richardson – December 18, 2017
- Public Comment: Idaho Department of Fish and Game – December 19, 2017
- Public Comment: Idaho Conservation League – December 19, 2017
- Public Comment: Friends of the Clearwater – December 19, 2017
- Public Comment: Pat Finnegan – December 18, 2017
- Public Comment: Trout Unlimited – December 18, 2017
- Public Comment: Gary Bowling – December 18, 2017
- Public Comment: Nez Perce Tribe – December 12, 2017
- Public Comment: Don Smith – December 5, 2017
- Public Comment: Jann Higdem – December 5, 2017
- Hearing Audio – December 5, 2017
- Sign-in Sheet – December 5, 2017
- Agenda – December 5, 2017
- Public Comment: Tenmile Mining District’s Letter to IWRB & IDWR Requesting Changes to the Special Supplement for the South Fork Clearwater River – November 27, 2017
- Public Comment: Tenmile Mining District’s Letter to IWRB Requesting Changes to the 2018 Dredging Regulations – November 26, 2017
- Memo: Review of 23 Special Supplement Permit Conditions for Small Scale Suction Dredge Mining on the South Fork Clearwater River – November 22, 2017
- Memo: Review of the 15 Special Supplement Permit Limit for Small Scale Suction Dredge Mining on the South Fork Clearwater River – November 16, 2017
- Letter to Interested Parties RE: South Fork Clearwater River Special Supplement Permit Conditions – October 5, 2017
- Letter to Interested Parties RE: Changes to South Fork Clearwater River Special Supplement Permit Conditions – July 10, 2017
Public Listening Session: Regarding Suction Dredge Mining in the South Fork Clearwater River – Grangeville
- 2017 South Fork Clear Water River Special Supplement Conditions – July 2017
- Public Comment: Don Smith Correspondence – July 2017
- Public Comment: Individual Correspondence (R. Chase) – July 2017
- Public Comment: Idaho Conservation League Individual Correspondence (M. Weaver) – July 2017
- Public Comment: Idaho Conservation League Correspondence (M. Weaver) – July 2017
- Public Comment: Friends of the Clearwater Correspondence (M. Weaver) – July 2017
- Public Comment: Nez Perce Tribe Correspondence (M. Weaver) – July 2017
- Agenda – June 21, 2017
- Meeting Sign-in Sheet – June 21, 2017
- 2017 Special Supplement Instructions – June 21, 2017
- Condition Review Matrix – June 21, 2017
- Audio – June 21, 2017
- Response to letters from the Tenmile Mining District regarding suction dredge mining on the South Fork Clearwater River – June 6, 2017
- Letter From Tenmile Mining District – June 5, 2017
- Attachment to Letter from Tenmile Mining District – June, 5, 2017
- Letter From Tenmile Mining District – April 24, 2017
- Attachment to Letter From Tenmile Mining District – April 24, 2017
Public Hearings on the Proposed Addition of a Sustainability Section to the SWP
At the request of Governor Otter, IWRB has developed a proposed change to the Idaho State Water Plan through the addition of a new Sustainability section. The proposed Sustainability section is the result of a robust public involvement process.
- Proposed Sustainability Section to the SWP – May 2016
- Boise Agenda, Audio – June 7, 2016
- Hailey Agenda, Audio – June 13, 2016
- Twin Falls Agenda, Audio – June 28, 2016
- Sandpoint Agenda, Audio – July 20, 2016
- Lewiston Agenda, Audio – August 23, 2016
- Idaho Falls Agenda, Audio – August 30, 2016
- Chubbuck Agenda, Audio -September 14, 2016
- Written Comments and Exhibits on Proposed Sustainability Policy – 2016
- Summary of Public Comments regarding Proposed Sustainability Policy – 2016
- Final Sustainability Section – Adopted November 2, 2016
The public comment period commenced on Friday, May 20, 2016, and remained open through the close of business on Friday, September 30, 2016.For more information, visit the State Water Plan page.
Rathdrum Prairie Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan Hearing – Coeur d’Alene – May 12, 2011
- Policy 32 Hearings – January 28, 1985 – February 6, 1985
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- Lewiston Tape 1, Tape 2, Tape 3, Transcript – February 6, 1985
- Boise Tape 1, Tape 2, Tape 3, Transcript – February 5, 1985
- Twin Falls Tape 1, Tape 2, Tape 3, Transcript – January 31, 1985
- Burley Tape 1, Tape 2, Tape 3, Tape 4, Transcript 1, Transcript 2 – January 30, 1985
- Pocatello Tape 1, Tape 2, Tape 3, Transcript 1, Transcript 2 – January 29, 1985
- Idaho Falls Tape 1, Tape 2, Transcript – January 28, 1985
Swan Falls Informational Meetings – October 25, 1984 – November 2, 1984
Miscellaneous Documents
Former Board Members
Listed in the table below are the individuals who previously served as members of the Idaho Water Resource Board.
| Board Member | Hometown | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Alberdi, Vince | Kimberly | January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2021 |
| Armacost, Vic | New Meadows | March 4, 2005 - January 2009 |
| Bandy, Robert M. | Priest River | 1967 - 1971 |
| Beck, Leonard | Burley | April 3, 2001 - January 1, 2013 |
| Bell, Brent J. | Rexburg | April 6, 1992 - January 1, 1995 |
| Brooks, Mary T. | Boise | Mar 26, 1985 - March 1, 1989 |
| Buell, Jack | Saint Maries | January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1999 |
| Chamberlain, Gary | Challis | April 3, 2001 - January 1, 2011 |
| Chase, Roger | Pocatello | March 3, 2009 - October 21, 2022 |
| Crookham, George | Caldwell | 1965 - 1969 |
| Cuddy, Charles (Chuck) | Orofino | January 1, 2007 - July 19, 2017 |
| Cupan, Sally L. | Sandpoint | January 1, 1983 - 1984 |
| Erickson, J. David | Buhl | January 1, 1993 - January 1, 2001 |
| Graham, Bob | Bonners Ferry | 1995 - 2015 |
| Graham, Leonard E. | Rigby | 1965 - 1967 |
| Gray, Gene M. | Payette | January 1, 1981 - 1996 |
| Hammes, Robert M. | Saint Maries | May 17, 1984 - 1985 |
| Hansen, M. Reed | Idaho Falls | 1975 - 1984 |
| Hungerford, Kenneth E. | Moscow | June 12, 1985 - January 1, 1991 |
| Jones, Franklin | Boise | January 1, 1973 - 1985 |
| Jordan, Joseph L. | Boise | January 1, 1993 - January 1, 2005 |
| Kackley, Dr. Evan | Soda Springs | 1965 - 1968 |
| Kramer, Donald R. | Castleford | January 1, 1973 - January 1, 1993 |
| Kunz, Ferris M. | Montpelier | 1968 - 1975 |
| Lanting, William J. | Twin Falls | March 26, 1985 - March 1, 1989 |
| Marshall, Charles J. | Jerome | 1965 - 1973 |
| McDevitt, Herman J. | Pocatello | 1979 - 1983 |
| Nettleton, Joe | Murphy | 1969 - 1981 |
| Olmstead, Thomas | Twin Falls | 1969 - 1973 |
| Parkins, Arlie | Marsing | 1965 - 1969 |
| Parr, Clarence | Heyburn | March 7, 1987 - September 15, 2000 |
| Platts, William S. | Boise | February 2, 1989 - January 1, 1995 |
| Rainey, Erval | Sandpoint | January 1, 1995 - January 1, 1999 |
| Reed, Scott | Coeur d'Alene | 1971 - 1983 |
| Reichert, Edward | Filer | 1965 - 1968 |
| Rigby, Jerry | Rexburg | February 1, 1995 - January 1, 2011 |
| Rusche, John | Lewiston | September 5, 2017 - March 20, 2018 |
| Rydalch, F. Dave | Saint Anthony | July 6, 1984 - 1997 |
| Satterwhite, D. Mike | Lewiston | January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1995 |
| Schlender, Edwin | Malta | 1971 - 1979 |
| Shawver, James | Eden | January 1, 1979 - January 1, 1987 |
| Stanger, LeRoy | Idaho Falls | 1967 - 1971 |
| Stevenson, John "Bert" | Rupert | January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2021 |
| Storer, Claude | Idaho Falls | February 17, 1997 - January 1, 1999 |
| Streiff, John F. | Lewiston | 1965 - 1979 |
| Uhling, Terry | Boise | November 13, 1995 - January 1, 2013 |
| Van Der Meulen, Pete | Hailey | April 29, 2011 - January 5, 2023 |
| Wagner, Richard W. | Lewiston | 1979 - 1991 |
| Williams, J. D. | Boise | February 1, 1983 - 1992 |
| Wyatt, D. Richard | Lewiston | March 17, 1999 - January 1, 2007 |
| Yost, George L. | Emmett | 1965 - 1979 |
Visit the IWRB’s Programs webpage for more information.
Visit the IWRB’s Projects webpage for more information.
IWRB Financial Program & Grants
Visit the IWRB Financial Programs & Grants webpage to learn more.