Hoback River

The Hoback River originates in the Wyoming Range in the Bridger-Teton National Forest before joining the Snake River near the town of Hoback, just south of Jackson and above the Snake River Canyon. This river corridor provides critical habitat to diverse wildlife, including elk, deer, moose, bears, and a variety of bird species.

The Hoback river is both an important recreational resource — providing opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and fishing, as well as camping along its banks — and drinking water source.

However, drinking water in Hoback Junction has long suffered from groundwater pollution from septic systems and local wells regularly exceed the EPA’s maximum allowable nitrate concentration for human consumption. As a result, many Hoback Junction residents avoid drinking their well water and purchase water for personal consumption. POWJH has consistently worked to provide short and long-term solutions to this issue, through programs like the Hoback Clean Water Initiative, water analysis studies and the formation of a water and sewer district to address water quality concerns.