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Wild River Protection
Idaho has hundreds of pristine wild rivers, more than any other state except Alaska. Most of these rivers (over 75%) flow through public lands and are available for everyone to use and appreciate. However, hundreds of rivers are threatened by incompatible uses like logging, mining, dam building, stream alterations and floodplain development. More than 100 Idaho rivers are eligible to be part of America's Wild and Scenic Rivers System - but only eight rivers are actually included. Wild and Scenic River designation prohibits dams and protects the river's outstanding features such as native fish, scenic falls or whitewater. Idaho Rivers United works to gain protection for Idaho's wild rivers through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and other strategies.
State River Protection
Idaho Rivers United promotes river protection through Idaho's protected rivers program and state-established minimum flows. The minimum flow program can insure a minimal amount of water is left in a stream to keep it healthy. The state protected rivers program protects rivers below the mean high water mark and prohibits construction or expansion of dams or impoundments, construction of hydropower projects, construction of water diversion works, dredge or placer mining, alterations of the stream bed and mineral or sand and gravel extraction within the stream bed. Hundreds of miles of river are protected by one or both of these programs because of the work of Idaho Rivers United. They include the Payette, Henry's Fork, Mid-Snake and North Fork Clearwater.
Clean Water/Healthy Rivers
Many of Idaho's rivers suffer from pollution and over-development, and the health of many others is threatened. Idaho Rivers United uses the federal Clean Water Act and state water pollution laws to protect Idaho's pristine rivers from pollution and to push clean-up of hundreds of polluted Idaho rivers. We lead citizen efforts to protect riparian habitat and river floodplains, especially in Idaho's urban areas. Special attention is given to the protection and enhancement of habitat for Idaho's native fish. Idaho's groundwater is an oft-overlooked part of the water regime, but Idaho Rivers United works to prevent groundwater degradation. |
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