water appropriation

Finding balance: Idaho’s water challenges and potential solutions

Idaho growers share their frustration over water curtailment during a year of excess water, stressing the need for better distribution management and urging long-term solutions to avoid future challenges.

August 26, 2024

Cassidy Woolsey

“I’m getting fatigued on the problem. I want to focus on solutions,” says Jake Stander, a fifth-generation grower near Blackfoot.

Q&A with Mathew Weaver, Idaho Department of Water Resources

January 16, 2024

Cassidy Woolsey

Mathew Weaver was appointed by Gov. Brad Little as the new director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) last September. Ag Proud – Idaho’s Cassidy Woolsey caught up with Weaver to learn more about him, his priorities as director and other topics important for water users in the state of Idaho.

New Idaho ag appointees and water summit

August 18, 2023

Lynn Jaynes

A new wheat commissioner, director of Idaho Department of Water Resources and the governor's water summit are all highlighted.

Water calls and the new methodology behind it

June 20, 2023

Lynn Jaynes

There is frustration statewide that in such a wet year there are water curtailments called. It’s also understandable that when water is at issue, it will be controversial. Here's a look at the methodology used to make the water calls.

Opinion: Treating Idaho water law as a license to waste is irresponsible

June 12, 2023

Possible water curtailments even in a good year

May 1, 2023

On April 21, the director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) issued a revised "methodology order" in the matter of the Surface Water Coalition’s longstanding delivery call.

Where’s the water?

A three-prong approach among strategic use, soil health and crop selection will guide the future of water usage in forage production.

May 1, 2023

Dustin Sawyer and Scott Fleming

Water resources have become a legitimate concern for U.S. agriculture.

High and dry: INL-developed software helps farmers manage water usage

April 13, 2023

A team from INL is collaborating with Mickelsen Farms, a large family-owned potato farm in Roberts, Idaho, to develop software solutions that can support farms in drought conditions.

[Podcast] Idaho fish and proposed dam breaching – what do we know, and what are we guessing at?

January 3, 2023

Magic Valley farmer, cattle raiser and pork raiser Dave Roper tells us about a citizens group, Citizens for Preservation of Fish and Dams, that is delving into the proposed dam-breaching issues beyond ag transportation disruption, fish survivability and power generation – what are the unintended consequences (good and bad) of dams and reservoirs? Where can you find collected data to pursue more about the topic and the science beyond differing arguments? That’s what the group hopes to be able to provide – information for those searching for answers.