Farmers across eastern Idaho face a second consecutive dry year, prompting earlier groundwater pumping and heightened concerns about staying within water allotments as drought conditions persist.
McKay Anderson, a crop advisor with Valley Ag in Rexburg, recently released a web-based application designed to help agricultural producers track their water usage and comply with reporting requirements. The Ag Water Tracker launched approximately two weeks ago amid growing pressure on the region’s water supplies.
Low Reservoirs and Early Pumping
Canal and reservoir systems throughout the area are running low, according to Anderson, who works with growers in the fertilizer and chemical sectors. The lack of snowpack this past winter has left farmers facing the likelihood of insufficient water to meet crop demands through the growing season.
State water officials have previously warned that pumps could be shut off for users exceeding their allocated amounts. A mitigation agreement reached in 2024 established protections for groundwater wells, preventing shutdowns while requiring users to track consumption and submit monthly meter readings to their local groundwater districts.
How the Tracker Works
Anderson’s application allows farmers to input meter readings from their wells and share access with employees or family members who monitor irrigation systems. The app automatically transmits monthly readings via email to the appropriate water district.
Users can also enter their well allocation into the system, enabling real-time tracking to ensure they remain within permitted limits. Anderson noted that many producers do not visit every well site daily, making the multi-user feature particularly useful.
The crop advisor said he began developing the tool last year after recognizing the stress farmers faced managing water resources. Many producers last summer either exceeded their allocations or came close, creating anxiety about repeating those circumstances in 2026.
Four-Year Mitigation Plan
The 2024 mitigation agreement spans four-year increments, designed to account for drought years and reduce annual conflicts over water rights. The plan is scheduled for renegotiation in 2027 at the conclusion of its first term. The current irrigation season marks the third year under the agreement.
Anderson explained that farmers who exceed their allotment this summer would face having no water available next summer, creating a severe predicament for agricultural operations. Under Idaho water law, surface water users hold senior rights, while groundwater users must maintain plans to recharge the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer during shortage periods.
The lack of water means no opportunities exist for aquifer recharge, adding another layer of difficulty to the situation.
Cutbacks and Conservation
Adam Young, a board member with the Bingham Groundwater District who operates a 2,600-acre farm outside Blackfoot, said last month he has reduced planting this season. Young eliminated approximately 100 acres from production to conserve water and enrolled another 22 acres in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.
That federal program provides annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to landowners who remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and implement conservation practices through long-term contracts.
Anderson said other farmers throughout eastern Idaho have made similar adjustments. The reduced planting has economic ripple effects beyond the farm gate, affecting fertilizer and chemical sales as fewer crops translate to lower input demand.
What Comes Next
Anderson is working to educate producers about the tracking application, though he acknowledged the timing presents challenges as farmers contend with multiple pressures beyond water management. The crop advisor said having documented usage data could prove valuable if farmers need to defend their water rights in future disputes.
As the irrigation season progresses, water availability will remain a critical factor for agricultural operations across Bonneville County and the broader eastern Idaho region. The 2026 growing season will test whether the mitigation framework can balance competing demands on limited water resources during extended drought conditions.