Issues Impacting the Snake River Headwaters Watershed

Healthy Watershed Resources

Not only is our watershed special — The Snake River Watershed has more designated Wild and Scenic River miles than any other county in the country — it’s fragile.

Due to the cold, clear baseline conditions in our lakes, rivers, and creeks, it doesn’t take a large increase in temperature, nutrient levels, or other contaminants to impact the dynamic gravel-bed river floodplain ecosystem. Another important component of where we live is our groundwater, which freely exchanges with surface waters through the porous cobble and gravel that comprise our valley floor.

We rely on a Sole Source Aquifer — an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designation for a groundwater supply that provides the majority of drinking water to a community without another viable alternative source. Protecting our drinking water is much easier and far less costly than restoring the aquifer.