A Tale of Two Portneufs
Submitted by Eric Rude on Tue, 2017-06-06 00:00
The Portneuf River has a split personality.
The Portneuf River channel comes west from Lava Hot Springs, then turns north to head towards Pocatello. However, not all of its water goes the same direction. In fact, there are times when none of the water turns north.
As shown in my photo, much of the Portneuf’s water is diverted for irrigation to the south. Whatever isn’t needed in Marsh Valley is “allowed” to flow north, to stay in the Portneuf channel.
But, sometimes, all of the water goes to the farms, and the Portneuf River ends right there, at the Topaz station. Runoff eventually fills in the channel, so the Portneuf starts anew, and, near Inkom, Marsh Creek flows in, and we have a full, muddy Portneuf River again.
So, the upper and lower Portneufs are often two different rivers.
I wonder what that means for the ecology of the Portneuf and the Portneuf Valley?
Comments
Interesting
I never knew this about our local Porfneuf. Who determines what is "allowed" to keep flowing and what is used for irrigation?
Is there some type of damn at the Topaz station? How far south of Pocatello is the Topaz station?
Thanks for the interesting info!
MHelman
Surprised as well
I found that disturbing as well. Irrigation is the primary concern for water. I understand it, but hate it. Water rights go way back in our history in Idaho. No fish, amphibian, or floating opportunity will ever change that.
Where this is?
This is about 30 miles south of Pocatello, on highway 30, 5 miles west of Lava Hot Springs. There are "gates" there that "they" use to control how much water gets through--one gate to the canal, one to the river. It's all based on water rights.