Curtailment orders face some eastern Idaho irrigators
36 water users have been ordered to stop diverting groundwater from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.
The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) issued the order, dated July 31, instructing watermasters to shut off diversions from those groundwater wells by the beginning of the 2018 irrigation season.
IDWR Director Gary Spackman authorized Water Districts 100, 110, 120, 130 and 140 to shut off and seal the wells listed in the curtailment order. 33 wells are affected. Some of the water users are operating more than one well.
The water users affected are irrigators, stockwater or domestic water users.
Two years ago, Spackman issued an order requiring flow meters to be installed on qualifying groundwater wells in the region by the beginning of the 2018 irrigation season. Flow meters were also required in the 2015 water settlement agreement between groundwater irrigators and the Surface Water Coalition.
“Groundwater users who are on the non-compliance list need to immediately install a measuring device, or obtain a variance or extension. Diversion of water from any well not in compliance will be curtailed,” Spackman said.
Letters were sent to well owners reminding them of the requirement in June 2017 and again in March of this year.
