Idaho Water News
Eastern Idaho water district expansion proposed
Discussions start early on Eastern Snake water pact
Idaho approves Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer recharge projects
Desperate for water, Idaho looks to cloud seeding for a boost
Sampling Shows Another Decline in Snake River Quagga Mussel Population
Idaho water supply challenges persist despite wet, cool April
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
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
Subject: You're Invited: Connected by Water – Idaho & Wyoming Water Annual Meeting (Nov 10)
Join the Snake River Headwaters Watershed Group and the Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition for a collaborative dialogue connecting our region's water priorities—from Jackson Lake Dam to the Magic Valley. Please forward this to others in your organization that may be interested in attending. The final agenda will be posted soon.
Connected by Water: Idaho & Wyoming Perspectives from Jackson Lake Dam to the Magic Valley
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Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
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Time: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
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9:00 AM – Check-in & Coffee
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9:30 AM – Program & Panel Discussions
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12:30 PM – Networking & Complimentary Lunch
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Location: The Waterfront at Snake River Landing (1220 Event Ctr Dr, Idaho Falls, ID)
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Format: In-Person or Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
Key Discussion Topics:
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Regional Perspectives: Balancing agricultural, recreational, and conservation priorities across state lines
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Jackson Lake Dam Infrastructure: Updates on dam operations, structural outlook, and upcoming gate rebuild plans with possible expansion of capacity.
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Snowpack & Forecasting Tech: How modern measurement technology can improve water supply predictions, help prevent spill past Milner, and provide more water for recharge.
Whether you manage water rights, farm, work in the outdoor economy, or simply care about the future of the Snake River, your perspective is vital to this regional conversation.
Lunch is provided for all in-person guests, but space is limited. Please let us know if you can make it!
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
As predicted, the Upper Snake Reservoir system is rapidly draining and will likely reach record lows soon. The graph below, from a Henry's Fork Foundation email, shows where the system stands as compared with last year and average years.
The Bureau of Reclamation reports that the entire system is currently 16% full. American Falls is down to 7 percent full, so water is being drawn from almost all up-stream reservoirs to meet needs below American Falls. This is necessary because this spring the American Falls water right filled on paper, but the reservoir didn't fill physically, meaning much of the water stored in Palisades, Island Park, Henry's Lake, and Ririe belongs to American Falls.
Palisades is down to 10%, Jackson 27%, and Island Park 30%, Ririe 46%, and Henry's Lake 76%. As of Sunday there was about 647,000 acre-feet left in the entire system. Water District #01 reported at the end of the week that 21,000 acre-feet of storage water is currently being used daily. Fortunately water use is easing somewhat. Some canals are running out of water, so that will also slow diversion. Still, very little will remain at the end of the water year.
Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition Members:
- First round: October 7, 2026
- Second round: February 24, 2027
- Third round: September 1, 2027
- Fourth round: February 15, 2028
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.
Coalition Goals for 2026
- Facilitate gatherings and meetings of various interest groups to discuss and resolve water issues.
- Participate actively in water legislation development and related political actions.
- Conduct water education for legislators including a Legislative Water College Tour in Eastern Idaho.
- Work on ways to make it easier for transfers and to supply new business and industry with water.
- Further develop a year-long sponsorship program.
- Continue to foster and build a relationship with the Water Council managers for the Sho-Ban Tribes.
- Monitor and participate in the ESPA Groundwater Management Area process.
- Continue to fund an expert to participate on the ESPA Aquifer Modeling Committee, meet with representative to discuss needs.
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.