Rathdrum Prairie Ground Water Management Area

The Rathdrum Prairie Ground Water Management Area (GWMA) is located in portions of Kootenai and Bonner Counties. IDWR designated the area on 12/11/2002.

On September 15, 2005, a ground water management plan was adopted for the Rathdrum Prairie GWMA by the Director, IDWR. The management plan was based on recommendations submitted by the Rathdrum Prairie Ground Water Advisory Committee appointed by the Director in 2003. The plan can be viewed here.

An element of management plan is a requirement for some new water right applications to submit water conservation plans.  A draft document "Water Conservation Measures and Guidelines for Preparing Water Conservation Plans" has been prepared under the guidance of the advisory committee and is currently under review.  The draft document can be viewed here.

A comprehensive hydrologic study was begin in 2003 and will conclude in spring 2007. Information about the study can be found at here.

Ground water levels in wells are measured periodically in the area. Current hydrographs of the wells can be viewed using the Online Ground Water Level Database or figures showing annually-updated hydrographs for selected wells can be viewed here.