Lemhi Flood Flows

We represent conservationist water right holders in the Snake River Basin Adjudication, who are objecting to 294 water right claims for “flood flows” (or “high flows”) by irrigators in the Lemhi River watershed.

The Lemhi River and its tributaries are critical habitat for salmon, steelhead and bull trout; and the Lemhi River is historically dried up at its mouth by summer irrigation diversions.  Even though there was previously an adjudication of water rights on the Lemhi River, local irrigators have submitted vast new “flood flow” claims seeking additional water rights in the SRBA.  Along with the United States and Nez Perce Tribe, we are objecting to this “water grab,” which would further contribute to the decline of the imperiled fisheries, as violating state water law requirements and the recent SRBA Wild & Scenic water rights settlement.