Idaho Declares Drought Emergency for All 44 Counties

Snowpack hits record lows as state experiences second-warmest winter on record

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:05pm

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A vast, frozen landscape painting in muted tones of gray and blue, with a lone, bare tree silhouetted against the horizon under a heavy, overcast sky, conveying the bleak, sublime scale of Idaho's drought conditions.Idaho's record-low snowpack and warming temperatures have led to a statewide drought emergency, exposing the state's growing vulnerability to climate change.Boise Today

Idaho officials have declared a drought emergency for all 44 counties in the state after record-low snowpack and one of the warmest winters on record raised concerns about water shortages this summer. The emergency declaration gives farmers and other water users more flexibility to manage limited water supplies during the dry conditions.

Why it matters

The lack of snowpack and warm winter temperatures have led to forecasts of irrigation shortages on major rivers like the Boise and Snake, which could severely impact agriculture and water supplies across southern Idaho. The drought emergency declaration aims to help the state manage these limited water resources.

The details

IDWR Director Mathew Weaver issued the drought emergency order on Monday, which was approved by Governor Brad Little. The declaration allows temporary changes to existing water rights for the rest of the year, as long as those changes do not harm other water users. Idaho experienced the second-warmest winter on record since 1896, and March was also the second warmest on record. Snowpack levels across the state were at historic lows by April 1, with many monitoring sites in the Snake River Basin reporting record-low snow levels.

  • The drought emergency declaration was issued on April 14, 2026.
  • Idaho experienced its second-warmest winter on record since 1896.
  • March 2026 was the second warmest March on record in Idaho.

The players

Mathew Weaver

The director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources who issued the drought emergency order.

Brad Little

The governor of Idaho who approved the drought emergency declaration.

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What’s next

The drought emergency will remain in place through December 31, 2026, unless state officials extend or end it earlier.

The takeaway

The severe drought conditions in Idaho, driven by record-low snowpack and unusually warm temperatures, have forced the state to take emergency measures to manage its limited water resources. This highlights the growing challenges that western states face due to climate change and the need for proactive water management strategies.