Rich McIntyre is the project director of the Indian Creek Initiative and the Wood River Legacy Project. He is the managing partner of Crystal Consulting Group.
By RICH McINTYRE
Changes to the status quo—particularly those related to water—are often met with understandable skepticism and concern.
The Wood River Legacy Project took two years of intensive effort to answer the concerns of water users, and required extensive meetings, presentations and ultimately compromise to achieve unanimous passage in the Idaho Legislature. The long-term results of that legislation have yet to be seen, but one thing is certain: Ultimately, there will be more water in the Big Wood River and Silver Creek, to the benefit of everyone who calls the Big Wood Basin home.
The Indian Creek Initiative, which seeks to restore the connection of Indian Creek back to the Big Wood River while protecting aquifer recharge and addressing potential flooding issues, faces similar hurdles. While not requiring the difficult task of changing Idaho water law, there are issues and concerns that must be addressed before this project can become a reality.
Before we discuss what the project is, let's be clear about what it is not. The Indian Creek Initiative has nothing to do with private water rights, aside from insuring their protection and providing new, voluntary options for their use. We have no role in the water rights fight—we have no position on ponds, water right protests or water development. Adjudicated water rights are just that, and how people elect to utilize them is between them and the Idaho Department of Water Resources.
Here is what we think we can do something about, and what is at the center of the initiative:
First, aquifer recharge must be protected, and adjudicated water deliveries in the Hiawatha Canal sustained. Much of Indian Creek water eventually goes into the ground as recharge and needs to be maintained. Developments such as the Valley Club have removed substantial amounts of water from the Hiawatha, and carriage water in the canal (water used to transport water to specific users) has decreased. To assist, the Legacy Project has proposed to the Idaho Department of Water Resources that the non-consumptive portion of water rights donated to the project in the mid-valley area be placed in the Hiawatha Canal, to protect recharge and assist with their carriage water needs. Additionally, should logic dictate the new Indian Creek channel go through or adjacent to Northridge, Hiawatha would remain the primary conduit for Indian Creek water into the new channel.
Secondly, the reconnection of Indian Creek back to the Big Wood addresses several important conservation objectives. We live in a valley where many of the tributary streams no longer reach the river, effectively rendering the Big Wood an aquatic amputee. It is time to reverse that trend. Reconnection means additional habitat for fish and wildlife, including critical spawning habitat. It means that water right holders on Indian Creek will have new, voluntary options available for the donation, lease or sale of their water rights. Indeed, one person has already come forward with water rights to donate—if there is a way to get them back to the river. It means more water for the river and Silver Creek. Additionally, the restoration of Indian Creek could provide an emulative standard for the reconnection of severed tributary streams, here and across the state.
Finally, reconnection can help to decrease the potential of flooding. In 1963, a major flooding event occurred, and Indian Creek flooded much of the Northridge and north Hailey area. While the situation on the ground has changed significantly over 45 years, the problem remains. Spring flooding and ice-caused sheet flooding has brought water perilously close to Northridge homes on Kintail Drive, and flooded the Idaho Transportation Department right of way adjacent to the bike path. A well-designed Indian Creek channel that terminates at the Big Wood instead of Northridge can substantially decrease these potential problems.
Our project advisory board is in place, and includes the Idaho Department of Water Resources (who originally suggested the project), the Idaho Transportation Department, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the city of Hailey, Wood River Land Trust, and affected landowners in Northridge and on the Hiawatha Canal. More folks will be added as the project proceeds. Idaho Rivers United, who championed and sponsored the Legacy Project, has taken a similar role on the Indian Creek Initiative.
The Indian Creek Initiative is not on a fast track; it will take time to achieve our objectives. There are many people to talk with, meetings to be held, presentations to be made, concerns to be addressed. We will take the time to do the project right, and in doing so, complete the process of making Indian Creek, once again, a living tributary of the Big Wood River.
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Rich McIntyre
