Safety concerns cancel Idaho Regatta

Permits for the 42nd Annual Idaho Regatta Marine event in Rupert and Burley June 22-25 have been cancelled. Minidoka County Sheriff Eric Snarr and Cassia County Sheriff Jay Heward said they took the action after hearing concerns from the Sheriff’s Dive Rescue Teams, race boat drivers, and property owners along the race course. They are worried about the potential of unforseen hazards created by high Snake River water levels. In addition to those safety concerns, recreational boaters are also advised to stay off shorelines to reduce property damage. Water is being released by the Bureau of Reclamation from upstream storage for flood control purposes. Minidoka Dam was releasing 23,500 cubic feet per second as of Thursday night. According to the Sheriff’s departments, water along the race course around the island had breached over retaining walls onto a homeowner’s grass, as well as the Burley Golf Course Marina. Inflows into Palisades Dam are high, at approximately 30,000 cubic feet per second daily and are forecast to stay at high levels for the near future. Cooler temperatures have also eased irrigation diversion demand, leaving more water in the system. Widespread rainstorms also impacted the area this week. The Bureau expects diversion demand to increase as the area dries out and temperatures begin to rise. Future releases from American Falls and Minidoka dams will be determined by releases from Palisades Dam, irrigation demand, and precipitation. More information about the Regatta is available here.