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Upper Snake River Basin Water Users

Facilitating water leasing from farmers to benefit fish, wildlife, and water users by increasing flow in the Upper Snake River, aligning with regional goals and addressing water leasing restrictions.

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Upper Snake River Basin Water Users

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  1. Flow Augmentation In The Upper Snake River Subbasin To Benefit Anadromous, Resident Fish and Wildlife

  2. Upper Snake River Basin Water Users • Five Member Board • South-Central Idaho Farmers • Representing Farmers Interested in Leasing water to benefit Fish & Wildlife

  3. Project Description • Water leasing for flow augmentation • Upper Snake Water Users to lease out water • At fair market price for lease water • Instead of farming • Benefit Fish & Wildlife

  4. Project Supports Regional Requirements • NMFS 2001 Biological Opinion • 427 Acre Feet from Upper Snake River Basin • NMFS 2000 FCRPS Biological Opinion • Action 149 – address flow problems • Action 151 – increase tributary flows • i.e. water brokerages

  5. Project Supports Regional Goals & Strategies • NWPPC – Approximate Natural Hydrographics • Action Agencies 2001– Improve Water Quality & Quantity • IDFG – Improve Water Quantity

  6. Project Supports Regional Recommendations Governors’ Plan • Partnerships – Landowners Full Partners in Recovery Effort • Develop Water Markets – Willing Buyers & Sellers • Local Recovery Plans – Endorses Local Planning

  7. Project Purpose • Address Water Leasing Restrictions & Concerns • Lease Irrigation Water from Upper Snake River Subbasin Water Users • Release & Protect Water to Below Hells Canyon Complex • Benefit Fish & Wildlife

  8. Water Leasing Limitations • Ag Preference Priority – Last To Fill • Minimal Rental Price – $2 or $7 acre foot • Water Exchanges Discouraged Palisades Dam

  9. Lemhi Natural Flow Rental • $220 per acre 2001 USBR rental price • $88 per acre foot @ 2.5 feet per acre

  10. 1999 USBR Analysis of Flow Augmentation for a 62-year Period (1928-1989) In FY 2001 flow augmentation from the Upper Snake River was 41,441 acre-feet. (USBR, 2001)

  11. Project Planning & Design • Research Rules & Regulations • Identify Needed Changes • Implement Changes • Identify Willing Water Lessors

  12. Project Implementation • Contract Development • Sign Contracts • FY 2002 – 3000 acre feet (test case) • Out years – up to 20,000 acre feet

  13. Project O & M • Problem Solving

  14. Project M & E • Contract Compliance • Develop monitoring method • Possible use of remote sensing S. Idaho 08/01/2000 landsat

  15. Budget Primary Expenses • Legal Fees – Resolve issues • Project Manager – recruit willing farmers • Leasing Water – water in the river • Project Monitoring – documented results

  16. Questions

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