Add Your Signature

To the Honorable Members of Idaho’s Congressional Delegation,

We, the undersigned citizens, business leaders, and public officials of Southern and Eastern Idaho, respectfully ask for your support of Senate Joint Memorial 101 (SJM101) and its call to evaluate and expand Idaho’s long-term water storage capacity—including the potential reconstruction of the Teton Dam.

Idaho’s future depends on water. Our agriculture, drinking supply, economy, and communities all rely on secure and sustainable water access. Southern and Eastern Idaho, in particular, is facing increasing demands on its water systems due to sustained drought conditions, a growing population, and heightened needs for agricultural irrigation and power generation.

SJM101 urges federal and state agencies to update existing studies and explore new water storage projects. These include not only the Teton Dam, but also other critical sites such as Minidoka, Jackson Lake, and off-stream storage options. These projects are essential to:

1. Support agriculture with reliable irrigation in dry years,
2. Secure clean drinking water for growing communities,
3. Expand recreational opportunities and boost local economies,
4. Mitigate flood risk and protect downstream towns and infrastructure,
5. Generate affordable hydropower for Idaho homes and businesses.

We recognize that federal water projects are large-scale efforts. Rebuilding the Teton Dam or other similar reservoirs may take 10 to 20 years to complete. But if we delay even starting the process, those same 10 to 20 years will still pass—only we’ll be further behind, with higher costs and greater consequences. Now is the time to act.

With current federal discussions on infrastructure and western water management underway, there is no better time to begin this effort. A coordinated approach now—starting with updated studies and collaborative planning—will ensure that Idaho’s water future is strong, secure, and sustainable for generations to come.

We urge you to support the goals outlined in SJM101 by helping secure federal cooperation and funding, and by advocating for Southern and Eastern Idaho's critical water infrastructure needs at the national level.

Thank you for your service and for your attention to this urgent and long-overdue priority.

Sincerely,