Active Adjudication
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.
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.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
No upcoming events are planned at this time.
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:
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
Documents and Handouts
Commencement Notice Mailing Groups & Filing Deadlines
Group 1 – Mailed Jan 30, 2023
Filing Deadline: Oct 20, 2023
Bear River Basin Historic Decrees
Terrell Decree:
Preston-Montpelier Irrigation Company v. Dingle Irrigation Company, et al. – dated March 7, 1924
- Dietrich Decree:
Utah Power & Light Company v. The Last Chance Canal Company, Limited, et al. – dated July 14, 1920