Idaho Water News
Idaho Allocates $30M for Aquifer Projects
New state funding supports groundwater-to-surface water conversion projects across east and south-central Idaho.
Groundwater to Surface Water Conversion Grant Criteria
Our Legislature cannot afford to neglect Idaho’s water future
Bedke announces agreement has been reached in mitigation plan
The 208 | Liquid assets: The fight for Idaho's water
Gov. Little sits down with East Idaho News to discuss water dispute, aquifer, and what's next
Water curtailment solution meeting brings parties together
‘This affects every single person.’ VanderSloot urges community, leaders to act on longterm water solution
Frank Vandersloot Statement at Melaleuca Freedom Celebration
“It’s a broken system” – Idaho farmer reacts to state water battle
Gov. Little signs executive order to protect Idaho water sovereignty
Gov. Brad Little holds news conference on water curtailment issue
VanderSloot: Why did the stock price of Idaho Power jump when governor told farmers he was turning off their wells?
Water Curtailment Order Lifted For East Idaho Farmers
Gov. Little applauds successful negotiations to avoid eastern Idaho water curtailment
Lt. Governor Bedke’s statement on ongoing water users’ negotiations for 2024’s water certainty
“There is still work to do” – Farmers moving forward after water curtailment cancelled
Order Revising April 2024 Forecast Supply and Amending Curtailment Order (Methodology Steps 5 & 6)
Stay informed with Idaho's latest water legislation, reservoir contents, major issues involving water rights, and more.
EIWRC News
This summer we co-hosted a meeting to discuss potential new water storage. For our annual meeting we are going to look at what is happening now to ensure compliance with the 2024 Stipulated Agreement between Idaho Groundwater Appropriators (IGWA) and the Surface Water Coalition (SWC). We will also look at some of the pitfalls that could get in our way.
Please see the flyer below for all the details. Since we have to send you a parking permit and will be providing lunch, no-cost registration is required at this link: https://forms.gle/
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
In the last legislative session our legislators were able to pass SJM101, asking the federal government to evaluate and expand Idaho’s long-term water storage capacity. In order to gain traction with federal officials they need to see that the people of Idaho support the need to keep and protect our water supplies for agriculture, cities, and future growth.
The Coalition Board of Directors asks that you take just a moment to sign the petition, KeepIdahoWater.com, showing our support. The board didn’t endorse any specific project, just that we need to move forward with making plans to ensure the future of our critical water supplies.
Please read this email from Senator Cook, Senate sponsor of SJM101, for more information and click on the link to add you name to the petition. Please encourage your spouse or others in your household over 18 years old to also sign. Please also forward this email to others in your organization and family, asking them to also sign. We can’t expect our federal officials to take action if we don’t show our support.
Hello All,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the recent Water Storage Options in Eastern Idaho seminar, co-hosted by the Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition and the Henry’s Fork Watershed Council. We are grateful for the strong turnout, thoughtful discussions, and continued community support.
August 19, 2025 Meeting Notes and Presentations are now available online:
- August 19, 2025 Meeting Program
- Senator Kevin Cook, Idaho Legislature, Presentation
- Alan Jackson, Bingham Groundwater District, Presentation
- Rob Van Kirk, Henry’s Fork Foundation, Presentation
- Mike Hilliard, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Presentation
- Cynthia Bridge Clark, Idaho Dept. of Water Resources, Presentation
- Dan Davidson, Minidoka Irrigation District, Presentation
- Wesley Hipke, Idaho Dept. of Water Resources, Presentation
Meeting Recording & Virtual Tour (Drone Footage): YouTube Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWfOzgjMieql-L9skEmQoxr62CP7kErey
Registered attendees and members of the HFWC listserv will also receive these materials by email.
A special thank you to our sponsors, whose generosity made this event possible: The Bank of Commerce, Simplot, Bingham Groundwater District, Snake River Headwaters Watershed Group, Comfort Construction, Idaho Farm Bureau, Idahoan Foods, S&A Engineering, Water Well Consultants, and Ag West.
We appreciate your continued engagement and look forward to seeing you at future events.
Hello All,
The Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition and the Henry’s Fork Watershed Council are co-hosting an upcoming water seminar titled Water Storage Options in Eastern Idaho. Join us to learn more about Idaho water management, understand the water challenges at hand, and explore potential river and groundwater storage solutions. We will discuss options including Teton Dam, Ashton Dam, Lane Lake, Jackson Dam, Minidoka Dam, and Mud Lake Pipeline. Please note: The goal of this meeting is to provide education and promote community discussion. Presentations made are not project endorsements.
Water Storage Options in Eastern Idaho
Date: Tuesday, August 19 from 9am–2:30pm. Registration begins at 8:30am. Lunch provided.
Location: Romance Theater, 2 E Main St, Rexburg ID
NEW: we are able to offer an option for virtual attendance. The Zoom link will be shared via email as we approach the event date. However, if you are able, we highly encourage in-person attendance.
Whether you’re joining online or in-person, RSVP is required. Visit tinyurl.com/wateridaho to add your name to the list. If attending online, your RSVP will ensure you receive the Zoom link. If attending in person, your RSVP will help us get an accurate headcount for lunch, catered by Blisters BBQ and provided free-of-charge thanks to our generous sponsors. Thank you to everyone who has already RSVP’d.
The agenda and meeting flyer are attached. Please circulate with those who might be interested. And please don’t hesitate to be in touch with questions. Hope to see you there!
We appreciate very much the support of our generous sponsors, including: The Bank of Commerce, Simplot, Bingham Groundwater District, Snake River Headwaters Watershed Group, Comfort Construction, Idaho Farm Bureau, Idahoan Foods, S&A Engineering, Water Well Consultants, and Ag West.
News Articles - Stay current with all of the latest water news articles.
Current Water Curtailment Order
News Articles - Stay current with all of the latest water news articles.
Current Water Curtailment Order
Thank you for visiting. To learn more about water related issues we face in Eastern Idaho, please visit our Idaho Water News page. If you wish to have a part in preserving our precious resources, please visit our Get Involved page.
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition 2024 Goals
- Participate actively in water legislation development and related political actions.
- Conduct water education for legislators including ESPA GMA plans and a Legislative Water College Tour in Eastern Idaho.
- Monitor and participate in the ESPA Groundwater Management Area process.
- Continue to fund an expert to participate on the ESPA Aquifer Modeling Committee, but with abbreviated reports.
- Help non-city municipal water providers find a better path to be a part of the SWC agreement and ESPA GMA.
EIWRC Mission Statement
The Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition understands the vital importance of water to Eastern Idaho's economy now and in the future. The coalition provides a strong and unified voice to protect water rights critical for economic growth in Eastern Idaho and promotes discussion and ideas that will best enhance the utilization of water for future economic development.
Contact the EIWRC
Financial Disclosure
The Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition was formed and registered in 2007 in the State of Idaho as non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. A similar designation under Section 501©(3) of the IRS code is pending. A letter verifying the tax-exempt status of the EIWRC can be obtained by contacting us at: Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition, c/o Keith Esplin, 593 East 5th South, Rexburg, ID 83440. Financial summary information for the Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition is contained in its annual report.