Overview
In 1991, IDWR designated a GWMA for the Big Wood River Basin after ground water monitoring wells showed that ground water levels were declining in the basin. In recent years, landowners with senior surface water rights in the Big Wood River and Little Wood River have alleged that ground water pumping in the upper Wood River and Silver Creek drainages was depleting flows in the rivers and reducing river flows diverted for irrigation.
This dispute resulted in attempted litigation and the submittal of several draft plans to IDWR to address the controversy. In response, IDWR the advisory committee to find a solution to the controversy.
Documents & Resources
Order & Final Management Plan
- Final Big Wood River Ground Water Management Area Management Plan
- Notice of May 17, 2022 Moratorium Order
- Order Establishing Moratorium in the Big Wood River Ground Water Management Area – May 17, 2022
- Notice and Service List for Order Approving Ground Water Management Plan – May 6, 2022
- Order Approving BWRGWMA Management Plan (Including Final Management Plan) – May 4, 2022
Draft Management Plan & Public Comments
- BWRGWMA Draft Management Plan (Second Revised Draft Management Plan) – April 2022
- Public Meeting Minutes BWRGWMA: Hailey, ID – March 23, 2022
Public Meeting Written Comments
- Written Comments from Cities of Bellevue and Hailey, and Sun Valley Co. – March 31, 2022
- Written Comments from Tom Mistick, Flying Heart Ranch II Subdivision – March 31, 2022
- Written Comments from Wendy and Keith Jones – March 30, 2022
- Written Comments from Wood River Ranch – March 28, 2022
- Written Comments from Dean R Rogers Inc – March 23, 2022
Draft Management Plan Comments
- BWLWWUA Comments
- Cities Comments – March 5, 2022
- South Valley & Galena GWD Comments
- NGO’s Comments – February 25, 2022
- NGO’s Comments – March 2, 2022
Related Documents
Upcoming Meetings
No event found!
Committee Members
- Corey Allen, Sun Valley Company
- Cooper Brossy, Big & Little Wood Water Users Association
- Rod Hubsmith, American Falls Reservoir District 2
- Sharon Lee, Individual
- Pat McMahon, Chair, Galena Ground Water District
- Justin Stevenson, Chair, South Valley Ground Water District
- Carl Pendleton, Board Chair, Big Wood Canal Company
- Pat Purdy, Owner, Picabo Livestock Company, Inc.
- William Simon, Camas Prairie Water Users
- Nick Westendorf, Big & Little Wood Water Users Association
- Brian Yeager, Public Works Director, City of Hailey
- Ron Taylor (Ex-officio Member), Idaho State Senate
- Jack Nelsen (Ex-officio Member), Idaho House of Representatives
