Posted September 23, 2014
The Idaho
Department of Water Resources (IDWR) and three irrigation water providers will
conduct the state’s first extensive winter aquifer recharge effort, according to a Capital Press article by John O’Connell available here.
American
Falls Reservoir District No. 2, Southwest Irrigation District and Twin Falls
Canal Co. joined the pilot project because of a new tiered payment program that
awards greater payments per acre foot for longer durations of recharge. The
program utilizes a state-held recharge right, which remains a priority
throughout winter to maintain a base flow of 500 cubic feet per second below
Milner.
IDWR
deputy director Mat Weaver said the state has an annual goal of recharging at
least 100,000 acre feet with a scheduled increase of 250,000 acre feet in the
next few years. However, IDWR has only averaged 75,000 acre feet per year since
2009. The tiered structure is expected to make recharge more cost-effective
during winter with no competition with canal maintenance but weather is a
hassle.
IDWR is
also encouraging Northside Canal Co. to participate in the project and address
concerns about water freezing in hydropower turbines on the company’s main
canal. Eventually, Harmon hopes to recharge every other year, rotating shifts
with Northside, and conducting more in-depth system maintenance in off years.
For more information on water law, please visit the National
Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
