Bear River Basin Adjudication (BRBA) Overview
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.
BRBA Recent Activity
June 23, 2025: IDWR mailed 2nd Round Service Notice for unclaimed water rights in Administrative Basin 13. Deadline: October 31, 2025.
February 7, 2025: IDWR mailed 2nd Round Service Notice for unclaimed water rights in Administrative Basin 11. Deadline was May 29, 2025. Late fees now required.
BRBA Archived Documents & Information
Archived Commencement Documents, Notices, Mailings, & Filing Deadlines
Commencement Documents
- Commencement Order – 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
Commencement Notices, Mailing Groups, & Filing Deadlines
- Group 1: B11 Mailing Group 1 – Commencement Notice
Filing Deadline: Oct 20, 2023 - Group 2: B11 Mailing Group 2 – Commencement Notice
Filing Deadline: Dec 8, 2023 - Group 3: B13 Mailing Group 1 – Commencement Notice
Filing Deadline: Oct 25, 2024 - Group 4: B13 Mailing Group 2 – Commencement Notice
Filing Deadline: Feb 7, 2025
Archived Meeting Materials & Information
Past Presentations, Documents, Handouts
- Basin 11 – Public Outreach Presentation (Nov 16–17, 2022)
- BRBA Handout (Nov 12–13, 2014)
- Notice of Informational Meetings (Nov 12–13, 2014)
- BRBA Adjudication Area Map
- BRBA Pamphlet
Public Information Meetings
- January 23 & 24, 2024: BRBA public meetings in Basin 13.
- April 25–27, 2023: Public walk-in meetings at National Oregon/California Trail Center.
Past Activity
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.
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.
Past Presentations, Documents, Handouts:
Basin 13 – BRBA Public Outreach Presentation January 23 & 24, 2024
Basin 11 – BRBA Public Outreach Presentation November 16, 17, 2022
BRBA Handout for November 12-13, 2014 Meetings
Notice of Informational Meetings – November 12 & 13, 2014
Map of BRBA adjudication area
Bear River Compact Documents
- 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
No upcoming events found.
Bear River Basin Water System Map
Bear River Basin Adjudication Mailing Groups Map
