A statewide drought was declared in Idaho on Monday, April 13, by Gov. Brad Little and director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources, Mathew Weaver. This comes after an unusually warm winter, creating a low amount of snowpack across all 44 counties in Idaho.
According to the April 2026 Idaho water supply report, created by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this year’s snowpack levels were the lowest on record since snowpack measurements began in 1896, stating that conditions were below 20th percentile, at 80% of locations surveyed. The report stated that though precipitation was normal across the state, ground temperatures were high to have the snow last, unless it was at a higher elevation.
Other factors include the warm weather between snowstorms, creating thinner snowpacks in mid to lower elevations, which prevents snowpacks from growing “thick”’ and resistant to the changes in temperature. Normally, the gradual melt of snow throughout the spring extends the supply of water into the summer months.
The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that “[a drought] is a slow-moving hazard, which causes people to underestimate the damage it can do, but losses from drought are as substantial as those from hurricanes, tornadoes, and other faster-moving disasters. Drought causes losses to agriculture; affects domestic water supply, energy production, public health, and wildlife; and contributes to wildfire.”
Upon approval of a drought emergency, the IDWR may issue temporary changes in the point of diversion, place of use, and purpose of use for valid, existing water rights.
Agricultural water users may to exchange water rights when they are determined to be un-harmful to historical ones. Individuals interested in filling an application and applying for a temporary change in water right can call the IDWR at 208-287-4800 or visit the IDWR website.
Josie Adjanohoun can be reached at [email protected].