Some Idaho Water Users Could See Curtailment This Summer
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX)-Idaho water officials are warning some that there may be water curtailments this summer as spring runoff is expected to be less than normal.
The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) is warning junior water rights holders of possible curtailment as the projected runoff into the Snake River will only be about 80 percent of normal, or about 2.6 million acre-feet between April and July.
IDWR predicts a 40,500 acre-foot shortfall to senior water rights holders in the Eastern Snake River Plain (ESPA) region. Junior ground water pumpers could see cutbacks if they are not part of one of four approved mitigation plans. IDWR said after May 1, it will identify junior ground water users that may see water curtailment this summer.
Some Idaho Water Users Could See Curtailment This Summer
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About 25% of Idaho in drought; 1 area in extreme drought
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While Idaho isn’t faring as badly as the Southwest, about a quarter of the state is experiencing some level of drought, with one epicenter in particular seeing extreme conditions.
“This is an ongoing long-term drought that started back in the Fall of 2019, and we just haven’t seen any kind of recovery there yet,” said
David Hoekema, a hydrologist for the Idaho Department of Water Resources. He spoke during the last water supply meeting of the winter season on Friday.
The month of March, Hoekema said, was very dry for the whole state, meaning most places have already seen peak snowpack, and it’s begun to melt several days earlier than normal.