A win-win Idaho water deal

Idaho Power has agreed to let the state send Snake River water underground to recharge the aquifer that many Eastern Idaho irrigators rely on to sustain their crops. In exchange, the company could see increased and more stable flows of water through its power-generating dams - and a way to help resolve issues holding up the federal relicensing of its primary hydroelectric facility in Hells Canyon. For Treasure Valley residents and other power customers, the deal could slow the rise in electric power rates, since Idaho Power's cheapest generation comes from the Snake River dams. State and company officials announced Thursday that they had resolved the issues that had clouded their historic 1984 Swan Falls water agreement, which established minimum flows in the Snake River at the company's Swan Falls dam southwest of Boise. In addition to recharging the aquifer, the plan includes programs to reduce groundwater pumping and take other measures that could increase flows from the springs that feed the Snake River below the Milner Dam near Burley - when that happens, more stable and predictable flows could drive the turbines. Recharging the aquifer also can help Idaho Power's efforts to meet federal and state water temperature requirements below its Hells Canyon Dam. Endangered fall chinook salmon have historically spawned there, but now, the temperatures are too high early in the fall. The company plans to work with farmers, irrigation companies and others to find ways to cool the Snake River water that flows into Brownlee Reservoir...Idaho Statesman