Measuring groundwater
Beginning thisweek – from Sept. 28 to Oct. 9 – employees of the U.S. Geological Survey, working with the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), will measure groundwater levels in up to 400 private and public wells in the Treasure Valley and Payette Valley region.
These measurements will be in addition to the roughly 200 wells that IDWR routinely monitors in this area. The same set of wells will be measured again in spring and fall 2027.
IDWR officials want to give the public a “heads up” about the well-measurement outreach project, and encourage the participation of additional well owners, if possible.
Purpose and Need: The Treasure Valley aquifer system provides the region’s primary source of drinking water, supports irrigation, and contributes flow to the Boise River. The last large-scale measurement effort in the region took place in 2001, and the basin has changed significantly since then. The data will help water managers assess the aquifer’s status and inform development of the Western Snake Plain Aquifer Model.
“This is essentially a snapshot of the aquifer,” said Ryan McCutcheon, IDWR Project Manager. “Well owners' participation is crucial, as private wells are a valuable source of information, and the more wells we can measure, the better our picture of the aquifer’s current state and its long- term and seasonal trends.”
In August and early September, IDWR mailed letters to the owners of the selected wells requesting permission to measure them. Field staff from the USGS and IDWR may also visit in person to ask permission.
Data collected from the study will be made available to the public on IDWR’s Groundwater Data Portal (https://idwr-groundwater-data.idaho.gov/).
For more information about this study, please contact Ryan McCutcheon at IDWR, ryan.mccutcheon@idwr.idaho.gov; 208-287-4992.
