Why It Matters
Butte County farmers facing crop failure due to dry spring conditions can now irrigate their fields for two more weeks while water rights negotiations continue. The temporary relief affects growers in the Big Lost River and Little Lost River Basins who were ordered to stop watering crops earlier this week.
What Happened
Idaho Department of Water Resources Director Mat Weaver lifted the curtailment order on Friday afternoon, giving farmers until May 4 to water their crops. The decision applies only to farmers who are members of ground water districts seeking to join the 2024 Mitigation Plan.
Traditional water rights rivals — the Idaho Ground Water Appropriators and the Surface Water Coalition — jointly requested the stay to allow negotiations to continue. Weaver initially declined to lift the curtailment order on Thursday, but reversed course after the two groups came together Friday.
The Butte County farmers have been working since late last summer to join the mitigation plan, which requires establishing ground water districts, hiring legal representation, and meeting public notice requirements.
By The Numbers
- Two weeks: Duration of the temporary curtailment relief through May 4
- Two water basins affected: Big Lost River and Little Lost River
- Started late summer: Timeline for Butte County farmers’ application to join mitigation plan
- One day turnaround: From Thursday denial to Friday approval
What They’re Saying
Idaho Ground Water Appropriators Chairwoman Stephanie Mickelsen highlighted the urgent need for irrigation. Farmers face very dry, warm spring conditions combined with rocky, shallow soil that makes this period critical for crop survival.
Surface Water Coalition Attorney Travis Thompson said both sides will continue meeting over the next two weeks to reach a resolution through good faith negotiations.
Zoom Out
Water rights disputes between ground water users and surface water holders have long been a source of tension in Idaho agriculture. Mitigation plans allow junior water rights holders to continue pumping by compensating senior rights holders, typically through water recharge or financial payments.
The Big Lost River and Little Lost River Basins represent a small portion of Idaho’s irrigated farmland, but the resolution of this dispute could set precedent for how quickly new ground water districts can join existing mitigation agreements statewide.
What’s Next
Negotiations between IGWA and the Surface Water Coalition will continue through early May. Director Weaver will need to decide whether to extend the stay beyond May 4 or allow the curtailment to take effect if the groups fail to reach agreement on accepting the Butte County districts into the 2024 Mitigation Plan.
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