News Release Archive

Final Boise/Payette Water Storage Assessment Report Released by Reclamation

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
Lesa Stark, ljstark@pn.usbr.gov

For Release: August 14, 2006

The Final Boise/Payette Water Storage Assessment Report released by the Bureau of Reclamation identifies some additional water storage opportunities in the Boise and Payette River basins to meet potential future domestic, commercial, municipal and industrial water needs.

The report is the result of a cooperative effort between Reclamation and a Stakeholders Working Group. The working group focused on the increasing demand for water brought on as a result of drought and steady urban growth in the Boise and Payette River basins. The findings indicate that increased competition for water is projected to double over the next 50 years.

Eight areas of opportunity presented in the report suggest there could be new or enhanced storage capabilities, including new on-stream and off-stream reservoir storage facilities, and retrofitting of existing reservoir facilities. The locations identified as having potential for further appraisal study include: " Lower South Fork Boise " North Fork/Middle Fork Boise " Lower South Fork Payette " Lower North Fork Payette " Mainstem Payette " Lower Payette " Raising Lucky Peak, Arrowrock, or Anderson Ranch Dams " Dredging Cascade Reservoir

The Stakeholders Working Group includes five federal agencies, three state agencies, and 18 representatives from various Congressional, local governments, water-interest groups, and private industry.

The Final Boise/Payette Water Storage Assessment Report is available for viewing on the Internet at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/srao_misc/bp_storagestudy/index.html.

A printed or CD-ROM copy of the Final Boise/Payette Water Storage Assessment Report may be obtained by writing to the Bureau of Reclamation, Snake River Area Office, Attn: SRA-1200 (Stark), 230 Collins Road, Boise ID 83702-4520, or by fax to (208) 383-2275. For information, telephone (208) 383-2260.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/programs/srao_misc/bp_storagestudy/index.html