Treasure Valley Irrigation Season Starts Early with Less Water

Boise water manager warns residents to prepare for a shortened irrigation season due to low snowpack levels.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:33pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting the Boise River and New York Canal system against a backdrop of dramatic, swirling clouds and fading light, conveying the fragility and overwhelming scale of the region's water resources.The Treasure Valley's irrigation system, a vital lifeline for the region's agriculture and communities, faces an uncertain future as climate change impacts the water supply.Boise Today

The 2026 irrigation season for the Treasure Valley in Idaho will begin on April 6, earlier than usual, but with less water available due to low snowpack levels. Bob Carter, the Project Manager for the Boise Project Board of Control, is urging water users to prepare for the worst but hope for the best, as the New York Canal that services 165,000 acres will be tapping into storage earlier than normal and likely have a shortened season.

Why it matters

The Treasure Valley's agricultural economy and residential lawns and gardens rely heavily on the irrigation system fed by the New York Canal, which was built in 1909 to sustain the region. With less water available this year, it could have significant impacts on farmers, homeowners, and the overall economy of the area.

The details

The New York Canal at Boise's Diversion Dam will start filling on April 6 and take over a week to fully charge the entire canal system. However, due to low snowpack levels, the canal will be tapping into storage earlier than normal, likely leading to a shortened irrigation season with less water available. The Boise Project Board of Control oversees the canal and is responsible for managing the water flow.

  • The 2026 irrigation season will begin on April 6.
  • It will take over a week to fully fill the New York Canal system.
  • The canal will be tapping into storage earlier than normal, in April, due to low snowpack levels.

The players

Bob Carter

The Project Manager for the Boise Project Board of Control, who oversees the Boise Diversion Dam and is responsible for filling and emptying the New York Canal.

Bill and Sharon Dodge

Boise residents who have lived in the area long enough to understand the importance of water to the Treasure Valley.

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What they’re saying

“This shortened season and less water available is very concerning to all of us and we take it serious.”

— Bob Carter, Project Manager, Boise Project Board of Control

“Water is very important, and you see this year the lack of snowfall— we're all anticipating what's to come this summer. With a lack of water to water our lawns, right?”

— Sharon Dodge

What’s next

Carter says Idaho's weather can change on a dime, but for right now, he cautioned: 'We don't have that river to get us into June and July, we'll be tapping into storage very early, in April, and that's what's going to make for a probably shortened season and less water. But the way things are looking right now, I would prepare for the worst and hope for the best.'

The takeaway

This early start to the irrigation season with less available water highlights the growing challenges the Treasure Valley faces in managing its water resources, especially as climate change impacts snowpack levels. Residents and farmers will need to adapt their water usage and practices to conserve this precious resource.