Mountain Home Air Force Base Sustainable Water Supply Project

Overview

The MHAFB currently relies on groundwater for its water supply but diverts its water from the declining Mountain Home Plateau Aquifer. Groundwater supply is unsustainable and there were concerns regarding nitrate contamination.

Because of the importance of the MHAFB to Idaho’s economy, the IWRB sought additional options to supply water to the base. In 2016, a water supply report was published and outlined specifics concerning utilizing surface water from the C.J. Strike Reservoir as a replacement for the water supply.

With the support of the Governor and Idaho State Legislature, IWRB purchased senior Snake River water rights from the Simplot Corporation to provide a water supply to the MHAFB. The IWRB will retain the water rights and enter into a water utility service agreement with MHAFB for the delivery of the municipal water.

Construction was completed in 2025 and included an intake structure, a raw water pump station, and installation of 14.4 miles of pipeline. The total cost of the intake structure, pump station, and pipeline was completed under budget at a total of $32 million. The Department of the Air Force is constructing a water treatment facility and storage tanks to receive the surface water supplied by the State of Idaho. The system is scheduled to be operational by 2027.