Water

Voluntary water stewardship grounded in shared knowledge and shared commitment

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WATER

Over the last two decades, drought has impacted the Blackfoot watershed more summers than not – more than 60% of the years in recent history. Recurring drought and uncertainty about future water supply have inspired community actions centered around coordinated water stewardship.

Local landowners, irrigators, anglers, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies share a commitment to work together through the Blackfoot Drought Response Program. Individual landowners also work to benefit water resources and agricultural production through efficient irrigation water management practices and a growing understanding of soil health. New strategies for investing in long-term stream health and drought resilience are taking shape as landowners and partners look to beavers and beaver dam mimicry-style restoration techniques to sustain water quantity and quality year-round.

Header photo: Kailee Bickford; Inset photo: Camille Coughlin

DROUGHT RESILIENCE

The Blackfoot’s Drought Response Plan is the foundation of a shared approach to water scarcity. Learn more about what you can do as a water user to help build drought resilience. 

IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT

Learn more about the resources we and our partners offer to support efficient and effective use of irrigation water, and help irrigators plan for a variety of water supply conditions.

WATER QUALITY

The Challenge supports a variety of stewardship tools for maintaining and improving water quality for drinking water, irrigation and livestock, and aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. 

BLACKFOOT RIVER CONDITIONS MAP

A map of the Blackfoot River watershed showing flow and temperature data in real-time, as well as the status of any drought response actions in place. 

WORKING WITH BEAVERS

Coming soon.

LOW-TECH STREAM RESTORATION

Coming soon.

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100

DROUGHT RESPONSE PARTICIPANTS

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15,000

IRRIGATED ACRES EVALUATED FOR EFFICIENCY

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11

STREAMS MONITORED FOR WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY

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3

LAKES MONITORED FOR INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES