Active Adjudication

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Accordion Content

BRBA Background

On June 15, 2021, the 5th Judicial District Court issued a commencement order for the Bear River Basin Adjudication, a legal process in which a court reviews and confirms all existing water rights in the Bear River Basin within the state of Idaho.

The adjudication will review all water rights held by local, state, and federal governments, Native American tribes, and private property owners. The commencement order gives water users within the Bear River Basin the option of deferring the filing of small domestic and stockwater claims.

The adjudication includes both surface water and groundwater rights in those portions of Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribou, Cassia, Franklin, Oneida, and Power Counties within the Bear River Basin.

What to file Flowchart: Adjudication Claim – or – Application for Permit

Filing Assistance Insert

Upcoming Meetings & Events

IDWR will open a temporary office at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho to assist the public with filing Bear River Basin Adjudication (BRBA) claims.

Dates: April 25, 26, & 27

Time: 8:00AM – 6:00 PM

Location: National Oregon/California Trail Center
320 North 4th Street
Montpelier, Idaho 83254

No appointment is necessary. IDWR Staff will be available to provide assistance with claims filing on first come, first served basis. Filing complex claims or multiple claims may take more time and require follow-up through additional appointments or by telephone, e-mail, or written communication.

Helpful materials you could bring:

Tax Notice/Parcel information
Water Right Records
Facts related to the development of water use on your property.

Recent Activity

Commencement Notice Mailing

January 30, 2023: IDWR mailed the 1st round of Notice to File claims in the BRBA (Commencement Notice) to property owners within IDWR’s Administrative Basin 11.

Legal Documents

Commencement Order for the Bear River Basin Adjudication – June 15, 2021
Memorandum Decision on Petition to Commence Bear River Basin Adjudication – June 15, 2021
Order Setting Commencement Hearing and Procedures for Hearing – November 25, 2020
Petition to Commence Bear River Basin Adjudication – November 20, 2020

Past Public Events

November 16 & 17, 2022: IDWR held public information meetings discussing the Bear River Basin Adjudication at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier Idaho on November 16 and 17, 2022.

If you weren’t able to attend, you can access the presentation materials below:

BRBA Public Outreach Presentation November 2022

Documents and Handouts