>>Water Supply & Measurement

Idaho Water Supply Committee

The Idaho Water Supply Committee was created as an action element of the Idaho Drought Plan first prepared in 1990 when Idaho was in a period of sustained drought.

2008 Water Supply Committee Presentations:

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2007 Water Supply Committee Presentations:

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Historical Background

Idaho usually has adequate surface water supplies but those water supplies are cyclic. Some years there is too much and other years not enough. Idaho has experienced a number of water shortages. The earliest well-documented shortages occurred in the 1920's and 30's during the Dust Bowl era. These historic records are still used today as a benchmark in evaluating potential problems.

Idaho has not been without problems since then, however. During the early 1960's several areas in the state experienced water shortages. In 1977, the worst single year on record, a severe water shortage occurred throughout Idaho and the West. In 1987 the water supply ranged from 10 to 50 percent below normal over many areas of the state. The impacts were kept to a minimum because of a good reservoir carry-over supply from 1986 and judicious use of water.

In 1988, even though the overall supply was better--at around 70 percent of normal--the impact was greater due to poor carry-over reservoir storage and dry soil conditions. Conditions in 1991 and 1992 mirrored conditions in 1987 and 1988. Overall, conditions between 1987 and 1993 in the southwestern part of Idaho have displaced the Dust Bowl period of the 1930's as the most severe period of drought on record.

As a result of the 1977 drought, state, federal and local agencies directed considerable effort toward drought planning and assistance. Valuable information was collected, many water supply problems were addressed and drought response procedures were developed. An important item not completed in 1977, though, was the production of a "Drought Plan". In 1990 a plan was designed to fill that need. The Idaho Water Supply Committee was developed as one action element of that plan.

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.

• 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.

Committee Organization

The committee may organize a variety of subcommittees depending upon the stage and magnitude of the water supply problem to help meet its goals. The committee chairman will request that various organizations assign personnel to the subcommittees and will appoint a chairman for each subcommittee. Each subcommittee chairman is responsible for the organization, membership and function of the subcommittee and will report to the Water Supply committee on activities, goals and progress.

• Compile and analyze water supply and energy data and forecast water supply availability. Provide technical assistance to the other subcommittees.
• Membership includes IDWR, National Weather Service (NWS), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

• Organize information about the drought and conservation measures in a form understandable to the public.
• Coordinate public information distributed from individual organizations in order to prevent public confusion.
• Membership should include information officers from public organizations.

• Investigate and monitor water shortage problems connected with farm and ranch operations, including public land grazing, and provide technical assistance where possible. Energy issues need to be coordinated with Energy Subcommittee.
• Membership should include Idaho Department of Agriculture, BOR, University of Idaho Cooperative Extension Service, NRCS, and Consolidated Farm Service Agency (CFSA).

• Investigate and monitor water shortage problems with municipal systems and industrial users; provide technical assistance. Energy issues need to be coordinated with the Energy Subcom- mittee.
• Membership should include IDWR, Idaho Department of Health Welfare (DEQ) (also health districts), Association of Commerce and Industry and the Association of Idaho Cities.

• Evaluate and monitor energy supplies; coordinate with other subcommittees.
• Coordinate with the state member of the Northwest Power Planning Council.
• Membership should include, Idaho Northwest Power Planning Council, Public Utilities Commission, Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Power Co., IDWR, the Association of Commerce and Industry, COE and BOR.

• Investigate and monitor areas of critical need to determine where habitat may be threatened and where water and land management practices could improve fish, wildlife and recreational values, including water quality problems.
• Determine potential of impact to recreation and tourism. Coordinate with Public Information Subcommittee to provide positive recreation information minimizing impact to the tourism industry.
• Monitor land management, fire suppression and issues relative to impacts and actions on grazing and operational changes dealing with fire hazard and suppression.
• Membership should include Idaho Department of Commerce, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Division of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

• Evaluate and monitor needs of individuals and organizations financially affected by the drought.
• Assist in obtaining financing for supplementary water sources.
• Membership should include Farmers Home Administration, Conservation Farm Service Agency, Idaho Bankers Association, Idaho Department of Commerce, Legislative Revenue and Taxation Committee and the Budget Bureau.