Idaho Water Supply Committee

Role of the Idaho Water Supply Committee

As soon as information concerning the upcoming year's water supply becomes available, the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) will begin analyzing the data to determine if there is potential for a water supply problem. If it becomes apparent that a problem could occur, IDWR will alert the Governor's Office and will organize a water supply committee to coordinate all drought-related activities in Idaho. This will reduce confusion and set up a means to provide the public with the best possible advice on steps which can be taken to minimize the drought's impact.

This committee will:

• compile all data to provide the most comprehensive information available concerning the drought;
• coordinate with the various agencies to avoid conflict or duplication and expedite the administrative process;
• provide responsible and timely public information; and
• encourage water and energy conservation.

The committee will be composed of key state, federal and private agencies that have interests, constituents and responsibilities which may be impacted by the water supply situation. The standing water supply committee will be composed of, but may not be limited to, the following agencies:

• Idaho Department of Water Resources - Chair
• Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services
• Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - Division of Environmental Quality
• Idaho Department of Agriculture
• University of Idaho Cooperative Extension Service
• Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Idaho Department of Commerce
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
• National Weather Service
• Natural Resource Conservation Service
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• U.S. Geological Survey
• U.S. Forest Service
• Consolidated Farm Service Agency
• Idaho Power Company

The Water Supply Committee will meet and review the best information available relative to the water supply. The committee will implement the response process with the following goals:

• Supply adequate domestic (culinary) water for public health, safety and welfare as a first priority.
• Minimize adverse drought effects on the state's economy, environment and social well-being.
  • Maintain municipal supplies to meet community needs.
  • Efficiently use available water supplies to provide for agricultural needs. Farm activities must be planned with a knowledge of anticipated water supplies.
  • Maintain productive Idaho industries to provide a stable local economy.
  • Water and land management practices should be modified, where possible, to minimize environmental impacts.
    • Fish and wildlife will be protected to the extent practical by water and land management.
    • Recreation interests will be protected to the extent practical by water and land management.
    • Forest and range hazard due to fire and erosion will be minimized to the extent practical by land management.
  • Electrical energy conservation practices should be instituted to assure an adequate supply for all purposes.
  • Reservoir storage and releases should be carefully managed to maximize total water-related benefits.
  • Navigation capability, where essential to the economic well-being of a community, must be protected to the extent possible through streamflow management.

If a severe water shortage appears possible, the committee may develop a formal contingency plan. During the 1987-94 period, some steps were partially implemented. There were several reasons for this, the most important being that, even though the shortage was the worst in 50 years, it was not necessary for state government to implement a demand reduction program.

The committee did encourage that some steps be the responsibility of local city or county governments. The committee would provide technical and administrative support and help local governments develop programs suited to their individual problems. A drought plan was developed and the Water Data Subcommittee implemented a monitoring program.