THE BOARD OF BLAINE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

206 FIRST AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 300

HAILEY, 83333 PHONE: (208) 788-5500 FAX: (208) 788-5569 www.blainecounty.org [email protected] Dick Fosbury , Chairman * Angenie McCleary, Vice-Chair * Jacob Greenberg, Commissioner

April 6, 2021

Gary Spackman Director, Idaho Department of Water Resources PO Box 83720 Boise, Idaho 83720-0098 Via E-mail

RE: 2021 Drought Emergency Declaration for Blaine County

Dear Director Spackman,

In response to irrigator concerns reported to us and the reports from the NRCS about snow levels in the Big Wood River and Little Wood River drainages, the Blaine County Board of Commissioners requests you issue a Declaration of Drought Emergency for Blaine County for the water year 2021. Currently, Snow-packs are only 65 to 70 % of average in both the Little Wood and Big Wood basins. Based on current stream-flow predictions, will likely only have 60 to 70 days of water. Also, based on current stream-flow predictions, the water-master will likely curtail 90 to 95 % of all Big Wood River natural flow water rights above Magic Reservoir and 100 % of all natural flow rights below Magic Reservoir. The water-master will also likely curtail 90 to 95 % of all Silver Creek/Little Wood River natural flow rights below the Little Wood/Silver Creek confluence. A statement from the Pocatello Weather Service Office states “The US Drought Monitor continues to designate portions of central Idaho under extreme drought conditions. This began with a lower than normal snow season in 2020. Following that, the summer of 2020 was very dry. The current snowpack in the mountains of central Idaho is again below normal. The outlook for additional precipitation this spring and summer is also below normal. The Northwest River Forecast Center in Portland, Oregon, is forecasting water supply volumes in both the Big and Little Wood Watersheds will be 15-20% of normal. “ All of these factors indicate a high probability of early downstream water calls, negatively affecting irrigators in Blaine County. A drought emergency declaration will enable our local water jurisdictions to be prepared to address the needs of their water users more effectively. It will also enable our local water users to plan and take steps necessary to ensure the most efficient possible management of their operations this season. As always, the Board of County Commissioners appreciates your efforts and diligence in addressing our significant water use issues.

With kind regards,

Dick Fosbury Angenie McCleary Jacob Greenberg Chairman Vice-Chairman Commissioner