10/29/07 Adding water storage in Idaho

David Tuthill says the time has come for Idaho to increase its water storage. The director of the Department of Water Resources says much has changed from the days our forefathers started building storage reservoirs, especially since 1950. TUTHILL "Since that time we've had the additional uses of one million acres of groundwater that are irrigated from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, endangered species uses, improved irrigation practices and also this climate change phenomena." Tuthill says another review will take place during the next year on rebuilding the Teton Dam which failed in 1976 and caused massive flooding in eastern Idaho. TUTHILL "Another that we're investing is the raising of Minidoka Reservoir. The reservoir needs some repair and this might be a good time to raise the level and add some storage. In addition we have some projects on the lower part of the Snake River system. For example Twin Springs and Galloway that have been studied and perhaps need more study." Earlier this month Tuthill met with Bureau of Reclamation commissioner Robert Johnson and pitched the four projects which he sees as essential for irrigation and a growing population. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott