11/06/08 Four potential Idaho water storage projects

There's a growing need and a rising cost for water. The state of Idaho and the Bureau of Reclamation have begun a feasibility study of raising the Minidoka Dam five feet. There's talk of adding more storage to the one million acre feet on the Boise River. Idaho Water Resources Director David Tuthill says they're exploring the possibility of another dam near the site of the failed Teton Dam. TUTHILL "But we're also looking at off stream storage potential in the areas that are tributary to the Teton River canyon and ground water storage opportunities." And there's the Weiser River Galloway Dam, revived now after being proposed two decades ago. Tuthill says this may be a project for the state to look at even with a hefty one billion dollar price tag. TUTHILL "The governor has to consider whether to move forward at this point given the budgetary considerations. That's something that we will have to look at long and hard to decide if this is the right time to move forward on our study but the potential to store there is about 900 thousand acre feet . There is a potential for a major storage project there and it's in an area where it appears there are fewer environmental concerns than in some other places in the state." Irrigation, flood control, hydropower, downstream water for fisheries and recreation are Galloway benefits says Tuthill but its now up to the governor to decide if the state has the money to move ahead with more studies. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott