University of Idaho faculty Karen Humes and Russell Qualls, along with their students, analyzed 30 years of crop water use data in southern Idaho to understand variations in irrigation application needs. Their research examined how differences in wet versus dry years and cool versus warm years influence crop water use and irrigation needs. By considering forecasted climate conditions, farmers can make informed decisions about crop selection and irrigation allocation, optimizing water use and improving overall agricultural efficiency.
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Keeping Coeur d’Alene Lake’s Water Quality in Check
Did you know Coeur d’Alene Lake is part of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site? A recent Our Gem community survey revealed fewer than 30 percent of respondents were aware the Lake is included in the Superfund Site. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed the site on the National Priorities List in 1983, which seeks to address legacy impacts of mining, primarily heavy metals contamination. The Superfund Site consists of three distinct areas, one of which includes…

Our Gem: Evaluating Risk in Coeur d’Alene Lake Recreational Areas
The Coeur d’Alene River Basin, Coeur d’Alene Lake, and the Spokane River are impacted by heavy metals from historic mining practices that began in the 1880s. This has resulted in the area being designated as an EPA National Priorities List (NPL) Site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The site was listed in 1983 and is known as the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site. Although mining practices have evolved, in tandem with operations…

OUR GEM: Understanding TMDLs and Restoring Water Quality in Idaho
Written by Jade Clickenbeard, Watershed Analyst for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Water quality is essential for the health of Idaho’s communities, ecosystems, and economies. Unfortunately, many of the region’s rivers, lakes, and streams face water quality issues, often related to pollution from agriculture, urban runoff, and legacy mine waste contamination. In Idaho, the Clean Water Act (CWA) provides a framework for addressing these challenges, and one of the key tools used to restore impaired water bodies is the…

OUR GEM Ashes in the Current: The Hidden Hydrologic Legacy of the 1910 Fire
By Mark Getscher, hydrogeologist for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe More than a century after “The Big Burn” of 1910 scorched over three million acres across northern Idaho and western Montana, its legacy continues to flow through the streams and rivers of the Coeur d’Alene Basin. While most remember the fire for its devastation and heroism, far fewer realize its silent and lingering impact on water quality. High-intensity wildfires combust vegetation and organic soil layers, converting them into ash. This ash is…

Monitoring Idaho’s Water Bodies
This story was written by Guest author: Craig Nelson on behalf of the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Read the original article. Idaho is well-recognized for its scenic streams, rivers and lakes, with abundant water recreation opportunities that attract visitors from around the globe. In order to assure that Idaho’s water bodies remain clean and available for swimming, fishing and domestic water supply, continuous monitoring and evaluation are needed. Idaho Department of Environmental…

OUR GEM: Citizen Science and Water Quality: The Role of Bay Watchers in Monitoring Coeur d’Alene Lake
Coeur d’Alene Lake faces numerous environmental challenges that require ongoing vigilance. One of the key programs in safeguarding the water quality of this lake is the Bay Watchers program. A collaboration between the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, The Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and local volunteers.