- Gather the water right numbers for each water right you propose to change. If you don’t know your water right number, use the Water Right Search tool.
- Generate and print a Part 2A report for each water right you propose to change. The Part 2A report contains valuable information needed for the remainder of this process.
- Use the Document Search tool to find and review documents related to each water right you propose to change.
- Review the Irrigation Season of Use and Headgate Requirements map for your area.
Water Right Number Format
Water Right numbers can contain three components: Basin number, Sequence number, and sometimes a Suffix.
Example: 95-1234A
95= Basin
1234= Sequence
A= Suffix
Review this checklist for other documents you might need to complete the process.
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Who owns the water right?
- Is the applicant a business, partnership, organization, or association, and not currently registered in the State of Idaho as a business entity?
- if YES Attach documentation identifying officers authorized to sign or act on behalf of right holder.
- Do IDWR records show the transfer applicant as the current water right owner?
- if NO Attach water right ownership documentation.
- Will the ownership of the water right change as a result of the proposed transfer to a new place of use?
- if YES Attach documentation showing land and water right ownership at the new place of use. Include documentation for all affected land and owner(s).
- Attach notarized statement of agreement or a statement on official letterhead signed by an authorized representative from each lien holder or other entity with financial interest in the water right(s) or land affected by the proposed transfer.
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Who has authority to act for the water right owner or applicant?
- Is the applicant the water right owner?
- if NO Attach documentation of authority to make the change.
- Attach Power of Attorney or documentation providing authority to sign or act on the applicant’s behalf.
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Where will the proposed change take place?
- Attach a map identifying the proposed point(s) of diversion, place(s) of use, and water diversion and distribution system details as described on the application. Include legal description labels. If only a portion of the right is proposed to be changed, identify the current location of the part of the existing right(s) proposed to be changed.
- Does the transfer application propose to change the place or purpose of use of an irrigation right?
- if YES Attach a Geographic Information System (GIS) shape file, an aerial photo, or other image clearly delineating the location and extent of existing acres and changes to the place of use.
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How will injury and enlargement be prevented?
- Does the transfer application proposes to change the nature of use or period of use for one or more rights?
- if YES Provide documentation describing the extent of beneficial use for the water rights proposed to be transferred and document how enlargement will be prevented.
- Does the transfer application propose to change the point of diversion for a water right affecting the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA)?
- if YES Attach the results of an ESPA analysis and a detailed mitigation plan to offset any depletions to hydraulically-connected reaches of the Snake River.
- ESPA Modeling Tools
- Does the transfer application propose to change the place of use of a supplemental irrigation right?
- if YES Provide documentation describing the historic use of the supplemental rights and availability or reliability of the primary right(s) being supplemented, both before and after the proposed change.
- Complete the appropriate application form.
- Application for Transfer of Water Right—Point of Diversion
Use this form if the only proposed change is to add and/or change point(s) of diversion of an entire water right(s). - Application for Transfer of Water Right
Use this standard form for all other changes.
- Application for Transfer of Water Right—Point of Diversion
- When proposing to change a portion of more than one water right, complete a Part 2B page for each additional water right that you propose to split.
- Print and sign the application.
- Attach all documentation from STEP 1, STEP 2, and STEP 3.
- Determine the appropriate filing fee and attach the payment to the documentation.Additional fees are required for water right ownership changes and proposed changes to nature of use.
- Mail your completed application packet with payment to the IDWR office in your region.