For producers of all commodities across Idaho, water has been a topic of conversation for months and for good reason. As the mild winter turned to an early, semi-wet spring and now to a forecast extra-dry summer, the conversations continue.

“It was the warmest winter on record since 1895,” said Erin Whorton, a hydrologist and water supply specialist with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service during the Idaho Water Users Association summer meeting in June.

As it commonly is with water projects in the Gem State, money is being dedicated at a constant basis on projects focusing in the short- and long-term future. Idaho Water Resource Board chairman Jeff Raybould presented an extensive review of how state funding has targeted specific projects across the state’s aquifers, streams and rivers.

Last year, 6,000 Idahoans signed the Senate Joint Memorial 101 (SJM 101) petition to “Keep Idaho Water.” SJM 101 aims to evaluate and expand Idaho’s long-term water storage capacity – including thorough studies of the potential reconstruction of the Teton Dam.

Is cloud seeding good for Idaho? Is it an effective way to increase the snowpack and, eventually, the water supply? What are cloud seeding’s effects on the landscape, human and wildlife populations?

Ag Proud – Idaho’s Cassidy Woolsey caught up with David Hoekema, a hydrologist with the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), to discuss this year's unusually dry spring and how it’s affecting the state’s water supply.

“As everyone knows the Treasure Valley is rapidly growing,” says Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) staff member Justin Ferguson. Based on a water demand survey completed in 2016 for the IWRB, the Treasure Valley is projected to increase in population to 1.57 million people by 2065, and with that increase comes an estimated need for an additional 81,000 acre-feet of water.

All in all, as of the middle of February, things are looking more positive in regards to snowpack and reservoir levels. As far as snow-water equivalent decreases through the decades goes, Ekins states, “We are a resilient state and will find ways to figure out how to manage these into the future.” Let us all hope for another good snowstorm or two, and look forward to another prosperous growing year.