Idaho issues water shutdown order

July 2009

U.S. Water News Online

BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Water Resources has issued an order that calls for shutting off groundwater wells across nearly 9,000 acres in southern Idaho.

The order was issued by the agency's interim director Gary Spackman and is effective July 31.

The shutdown would affect about 250 water right holders in Blaine, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties.

The shutdown is part of an ongoing water call filed by a trout farm, which claims growth in pumping from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer has decreased flows it is legally owed.

The state threatened to shutdown groundwater pumpers two years ago, but a last-minute deal averted a potential crisis.

The latest order would effect farmers, irrigators, businesses and cities.

Spackman says groundwater users have six days to find an alternative.

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