Farmers are preparing for irrigation issues as El Niño looms

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho's Snake River reservoirs were filled to at 9% capacity in September, striking concerns of a future shortages for Idaho farmers. Local farmers are planning on how to allocate their water supply, preparing for a dry winter as an El Niño is forecasted.

"When we look forward to the upcoming season, we've got a limited amount of water that we are authorized to use on our farms," says local farmer Adam Young. "If we come into the spring and it's hot and dry, and we have to kick on irrigation sooner for a crop that needs water, then that's going to impact what we're able to do later on in the season."

Last season, water levels dropped low enough to force some irrigation districts to turn off in July and remain out of water for the rest of the summer.

"If again we have similar conditions, we may be in the same boat," said Brian Stevens, a civil engineer with the Bureau of Reclamation in Southern Idaho.

The Bureau is collaborating with farmers to manage limited water resources in the state.

“Reclamation is staying engaged with the irrigation districts to manage river levels throughout the system to provide as much water as possible," Stevens said.