Water Supply Bank

The Water Supply Bank is a water exchange program operated by the Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB; Board), through the Director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), in association with water districts and IWRB-appointed local rental committees, to facilitate the acquisition and voluntary exchange of water rights, for new and supplemental water uses.

The Bank is operated pursuant to Sections 42-1761 through 42-1766 Idaho Code and Idaho Administrative Code IDAPA 37.02.03 (Water Supply Bank Rules).

The Water Supply Bank program primarily consists of two water exchange initiatives: the Board’s water supply bank (Board’s bank) and rental pools. The Board’s bank facilitates the statewide lease and rental of water rights and is managed by IDWR personnel while rental pools facilitate the lease and rental of water rights associated with specific watersheds or water sources (e.g. river basins and/or reservoir storage systems) and are managed by IWRB-appointed local committees. 

The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes also operate a Tribal Water Supply Bank, for Snake River water stored in federal reservoirs, under the authorities of Water Supply Bank statutes and Tribal Water Supply Bank rules.

For additional information about the Water Supply Bank, history, and FAQ’s, read the WSB Overview & FAQ’s.