IWRRI Holds Water Research Workshop
In February, 36 water professionals gathered for the first IWRRI Idaho Water Research Workshop. The workshop focused on irrigation challenges and research needs in southern Idaho, bringing together experts from universities, state agencies, local non-profits, research organizations and statewide water consultants. Participants included representatives from the University of Idaho, Boise State University, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the Idaho Department of Water Resources, among others.
The workshop featured 16 speakers who presented on irrigation-related topics, followed by three breakout sessions designed to facilitate discussion. These sessions allowed participants to identify critical research questions and priorities, propose calls to action and explore potential funding sources to address research needs. The discussions and findings from the event have been synthesized into a draft report. Moving forward, continued research, collaboration and stakeholder engagement will be essential to understanding how irrigation modernization impacts watershed scale water budgets. Strengthening these efforts will ensure that research outcomes benefit Idaho’s water users, water managers and the broader community.
