Aquifer recharge hits milestone

Water resource managers hit a milestone this week, marking more than 250,000 acre feet of recharge flows into the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer during the current water year.

The Idaho Water Resource Board still expects to recharge as much as 370,000 acre-feet by spring. The recharge effort set a record 317,000 acre-feet of recharge last year.

“It’s imperative to recharge as much water as possible during these surplus water years,” said Wesley Hipke, Recharge Project manager for the Board.

The board has committed to recharging an average of 250,000 acre-feet in the aquifer each year to help restore the aquifer to sustainable levels. The aquifer has been over-drafted by about 200,000 acre-feet per year since the 1950’s.

More than 115,300 acre-feet of water has been recharged in the Upper Snake region, and more than 138,343 acre-feet of water has been recharged in the Magic Valley region, with multiple canal companies and irrigation districts participating in both regions.