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.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
There are no upcoming meetings or events planned at this time.
Recent Activity
Claim Taking Workshop
April 25-27, 2023: IDWR met with the public on a first-come first-served basis at the National Oregon/California Trial Center, to answer questions and help people with filing water right claims
Commencement Notice Mailing
April 10, 2023: IDWR mailed the 2nd round of Notice to File claims in the BRBA (Commencement Notice) to property owners within IDWR’s Administrative Basin 11.
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:
Documents and Handouts
Bear River Basin Water System
Commencement Notice Mailing Groups & Filing Deadlines
Group 1 – Commencement Notice
Filing Deadline: Oct 20, 2023
Group 2 – Commencement Notice
Filing Deadline: Dec 8, 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
