Group Looks To Conserve Water In Eastern Idaho

Water is a major factor in the state’s economic and environmental well-being. Researchers with the Henry’s Fork Basin Council met in Rexburg Tuesday to discuss ways to sustain this valuable resource.

Water experts say our H2O supply is running a little low. Improvements to water supply conditions in the Eastern Snake Plain aquifer and Upper Snake River basin may not be enough, so developing alternatives is essential.

“There’s many, many needs for water: agriculture, industrial, municipal, environmental,” said Bob Schattin, activity manager for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which manages and builds dams, reservoirs and other structures in the West to help make sure water gets to where it needs to go..

The council has been meeting with leaders in hydrology, as well as local stakeholders, for the last couple of years. So far, alternatives up for discussion include surface-storage, expansion of existing water storage and even the Teton Dam.

“Yes the Teton Dam is one of the 17 alternatives we’re looking at,” said Schattin. “We’re also looking at several other surface storage alternatives beside the Teton Dam.”

With nearly 40 options to look into, members said there’s a lot left to be done.

“It’s a process, and sometimes, people think that because you’re studying an idea, you’re proposing it,” said Schattin. “Our mentality is that you have to study something before you can propose it.”

The council will take all of the research they’ve done thus far and create an interim report, which will be available this October. No action will be taken at this time.

For more information, visit http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/studies/idaho/henrysfork/index.html