Water Measurement

Guidelines and procedures for collecting water measurement data and reporting the information to the Idaho Department of Water Resources have been developed in order to have an orderly and uniform measuring and reporting program within the State of Idaho.

The information below assists in measuring and reporting diversions pursuant to orders of the Department in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA), or other areas of the state where these guidelines are referenced in such orders. The following links and guidelines are also applicable and useful for water measurement requirements within water districts.

Measurement Guidelines

• Minimum Acceptable Standards for Open Channel and Closed Conduit Measuring Devices
• IDWR ESPA Water Measurement and Reporting Guidelines
• Water Measurement Requirements and Specifications for ESPA Transfer Policies and Procedures
• Water Conversion Factors
• Department Performance Evaluation of Doppler Flow Meters - Executive Summary with Deployment Recommendations
• Department Performance Evaluation of Doppler Flow Meters - Technical Memorandum

Electromagnetic Flow Meter Certification

• Approved Full Profile Electromagnetic flow meters

• Notice of Opportunity to Qualify Magnetic Flow Meters for Participation in IDWR's Water Measurement Program

• Vendor Form for Electromagnetic Flow Meter Certification at Utah State Water Research Laboratory

Publications

• Bureau of Reclamation Water Measurement Manual
• University of Idaho Water Measurement pamphlet

Measurement Data Resources

• ESPA Irrigation Return Flows
• hydro.online - Ground Water Level Database
• Water District Diversion Data - Annual Summary
• Water Rights Accounting
• Water District No 34 (Big Lost River) Water Right Accounting & Other Data

• ESPA Water Measurement Program Summary 1998

Water Measurement Information Systems (WMIS)

The WMIS application is used by IDWR, watermasters, and district hydrographers to enter and retrieve groundwater delivery measurements and estimations of annual groundwater usage. Although this database primarily contains information related to irrigation wells on the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer, it is also used for other ground and surface water points of diversion for which annual delivery totals are recorded. For further information, please contact the Water Distribution Section at (208) 287-4958.

• User Login (IDWR and selected water district staff only)