10 Idaho Flood Projects Will Benefit From Grant Funding

Ten flood control projects in three of the Idaho Water Resource Board’s four districts will receive $702,303.50 in grants.

At its bi-monthly meeting on July 26, the IWRB approved the grants and approved the creation of a new $20 million grant for groundwater to surface water conversion.

The new grants are intended to encourage reductions in groundwater withdrawals in places where aquifers are declining, “particularly the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer or areas in the state where a Critical Groundwater Management Area or Groundwater Management Area has been designated,” the council said.

Applications for the new grant must be submitted in October of this year.

According to the IWRB, the flood grants are intended for the 2025 budget year and were awarded to the following projects:

Clearwater Soil and Water Conservation District Jim Ford Crossing Replacement Project replaces an undersized and failing bottomless arch culvert on Jim Ford Creek near Weippe with a modular bridge. Award: $117,333. Total project cost: $234,670.

Clearwater Soil and Water Conservation District’s Casey Creek Crossing Replacement Project replaces an undersized and flood-damaged 36-inch culvert on Casey Creek near Headquarters with a 108-inch pipe arch culvert. Award: $21,224. Total project cost: $44,102.

Twin Lakes Rathdrum Creek Flood Control District 17 requesting funds for streambed improvements and proposing to use an excavator to remove fallen trees and other debris from approximately 4,000 linear feet of Rathdrum Creek. Award: $6,800. Total project cost: $17,000

The City of Boise’s Seven Suckers Project includes bank stabilization, relocation of an agricultural berm, and replacement of a diversion structure at the Seven Suckers Diversion in Eagle. Award: $198,122. Total project cost: $396,244.

The city of Nampa is requesting $120,000 in funding to complete a Drain Recharge and Floodwater Storage Study, which would analyze drains in the Treasure Valley for floodwater storage and recharge potential. Award: $120,000. Total Project Cost: $240,000.

Boise River Flood Control District 10 is asking for 50% cost sharing of their Mulchay Property Bank Stabilization Project. This project proposes to repair and rehabilitate the riverbed, as well as improve the riverbed along the Boise River, approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Middleton. Award: $51,975. Total project cost: $103,950.

Boise River Flood Control District 10 also 50% cost sharing of their Randy Wood Bank Repair and Stabilization Project. This project proposes to repair a canal at two locations along a landowner’s property on the Boise River, approximately 1 mile south of Middleton. Award: $43,750. Total project cost: $87,500.

The Adams Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking funding to replace an undersized culvert on Thorn Creek, approximately 11 miles east of Cambridge. The existing two 4-foot diameter, 24-foot long culverts will be replaced with 40-foot long curved culverts, providing safer transportation on Grays Creek Road with less road sediment deposition and improved fish habitat, as well as improved flow during flooding. Award: $27,126. Total project cost: $55,780.60

The Portneuf Soil and Water Protection District is requesting 50% cost sharing for the Dempsey Creek Project, located approximately 2.5 miles south of Lava Hot Springs. This project will provide flood risk reduction and water quality benefits while also restoring access to a landowner’s agricultural land that has been inaccessible since a major flood in 2022. Award: 98,206.50. Total project cost: $196,413.

Madison County is requesting an additional $17,767 for their Teton River Flood Control Diversion Structures Project. In budget year 2023, the County was awarded $126,392 to design and construct a diversion structure on the Teton River that will direct floodwaters to the nearby Madison County gravel pit, approximately one-half mile northwest of the town of Teton. Award: $17,767. Total project cost: $35,535.