Idaho State Comprehensive Water Plan
Water Resource Board
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Excerpt from the Idaho Comprehensive State Water Plan

View the Idaho Comprehensive State Water Plan
View the plan for the Henrys Fork basin

Protected Rivers
Stream name: Falls River
River name: Henrys Fork
Description: From 100 feet upstream of the Yellowstone Diversion Dam to Kirkham Bridge
Classification: Recreational
Stream length, in miles (unless otherwise noted): 11

These activities are not allowed on this stream:

  • Construction or expansion of dams or impoundments
  • Dredge or Placer Mining
  • Mineral or Sand and Gravel extraction within the stream bed

These activities are allowed, as specified:

Construction of hydropower projects
  • The Falls River (FERC #9885) hydropower project will use the existing Marysville Canal diversion. This project has received a FERC license, and as such is considered a vested right by the Water Resource Board. The prohibitions associated with this state protected river designation, therefore, do not apply to this project.
Construction of Water Diversion works
  • The construction of water diversion works is prohibited except for those associated with offstream storage projects. The Water Resource Board can not support any project at this time since feasibility studies are not available for consideration. The existing water-right process provides opportunity for the public and the Water Resource Board to be involved in the approval of any potential project.
Alterations of the stream bed
  • Stream channel alterations are prohibited except those necessary to maintain, improve, or relocate existing utilities, roadways, diversion works, fishery enhancement facilities and managed stream access facilities; for the maintenance of private property; for new off-stream storage projects; and for public agencies to construct public access facilities and fishery enhancement facilities.

Special considerations:

Where the designation of a state protected river precludes a project or development, the Board will consider requests from individuals to amend a component of the comprehensive state water plan on a case-by-case basis. P. 162.