Jensen Grove filling up for summer season

Water is now being pumped into a popular destination for tourists in eastern Idaho after drought conditions last summer caused Jensen Grove to shut down early.

“This is one of the crown jewels of the Blackfoot community,” said Blackfoot Mayor Paul Loomis.

The Idaho Department of Water and Resources told the city they could fill up the lake Friday . Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, Scott Hays, said the city was preparing for the worst but the storms in late winter helped.

“We’re going to be fine on our storage water this year to get us through the season,” Hays said.

Hays also said in about 10 days Jensen Grove should be full of water. Mayor Loomis said this year the water should last until Labor Day, which is good for business.

“It brings a lot of people off of the freeway and into the community and then we enjoy the opportunities to host them here for meals, lodging and other shopping,” he said.

Loomis said it does cost the city money to fill up the lake. There are labor hours involved and water rights the city needs to maintain.

“Absolutely there is a cost, but we feel like it is a very worthy cost to the community.”

The water comes from the Snake River. The city usually starts pumping the water into Jensen’s lake during the first week of April.