Idaho conservation efforts against severe drought

Farmers in Idaho always pray for rain, and more than half of the state is considered abnormally dry right now. All those 90 degree summer days has only made things worse.

Now, people are taking this matter a bit more seriously, but more work needs to be done. The Natural Resource Conservation Department in Pocatello is urging people every day to consider better ways to conserve water. It’s not only the agricultural industry need to get on board, but also urban citizens as well as private landowners.

Conservation officials believe, taking action towards water conservation now will prevent an urgent water crisis in the future. Regardless of efforts towards efficient irrigation, the bottom line is the state needs more moisture.

Lack of precipitation leads to dryer crops, wildfires as well as water rationing in major cities.

Kevin Coester, Chairman of the Portneuf Soil and Water Conservation District, says, “I consider a great day, me wearing a raincoat during this time of year. We need water badly, we need it today and we needed it yesterday.”

Coester also says, better irrigation, more efficient water management, and soil conservation can help prolong a serious water crisis. For more information on land management and water conservation, visit: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/id/home/