Environmental Law & Policy Alert – Update from Somach Simmons & Dunn

April 22, 2026

2026 Drought Conditions Escalate Disputes Between Eastern Idaho Water Users

Disputes between senior surface water users and junior ground water users in eastern Idaho are nothing new. As covered in prior SSD alerts from June 2024, November 2024, and August 2025, few years pass without some form of drama involving the conjunctive management of surface water and ground water in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA).  
This year is no exception. This alert provides an update on recent developments and the challenges that water users and the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) face in 2026 … Read More

Written by Maximilian C. Bricker