A Rexburg-based agricultural advisor has developed a new web application designed to help growers monitor their water consumption as eastern Idaho enters its second consecutive dry year.

McKay Anderson, who works with Valley Ag in Rexburg, released the Ag Water Tracker approximately two weeks ago to address mounting challenges facing farmers who must document their groundwater usage under a 2024 mitigation agreement.

Water Supplies Running Short

Canal and reservoir levels remain low across the region, according to Anderson. Insufficient snowpack during the past winter has left both surface and groundwater users facing shortages heading into the 2026 growing season.

Groundwater pumping has begun earlier than typical, compounding concerns about available supplies. The Idaho Department of Water Resources has previously warned that it could shut down wells for users who exceed their authorized amounts.

Compliance Requirements Drive Innovation

The 2024 mitigation agreement established protections for groundwater wells while requiring users to track consumption and submit monthly meter readings to their local groundwater districts. The agreement was structured in four-year terms, with the current period set to conclude in 2027.

Anderson’s application allows growers to input meter readings remotely and sync multiple users to a single account. The system automatically transmits monthly reports to water districts via email. Users can also enter their allocation limits and monitor real-time usage to avoid exceeding authorized amounts.

“The grower can go to their meter and input their meter readings,” Anderson told EastIdahoNews.com. “Not every farmer is going to their well every day, but they have people who are. The app allows multiple users to sync to a single account.”

Farmers Cutting Acreage

Adam Young, a board member with the Bingham Groundwater District who operates approximately 2,600 acres near Blackfoot, has reduced planting this season to conserve water. Young eliminated roughly 100 acres from production and enrolled an additional 22 acres in the USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.

The federal CREP program compensates farmers and landowners who remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural use through long-term conservation contracts, providing annual rental payments and cost-share assistance.

Similar adjustments are occurring throughout eastern Idaho’s farming community, Anderson said. Many growers came close to or exceeded their allocations during last year’s hot, dry summer, creating anxiety about the 2026 season.

Economic Ripple Effects

Water constraints are affecting related agricultural industries. Reduced crop planting translates to decreased fertilizer and chemical sales, creating financial pressure across the sector.

“Farmers who plant fewer crops use less fertilizer, which means we sell less and take home less money,” Anderson said. “It’s a ripple effect.”

Legal Framework and Aquifer Recharge

Under Idaho water law, surface water users hold senior rights. Groundwater users must maintain plans to recharge the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer during shortage periods. Current conditions have prevented recharge opportunities, adding complexity to water management.

Anderson noted that tracking data could prove valuable if farmers need to document their water rights. He developed the application last year while observing the strain on growers he serves throughout the region.

“I’m trying to help my growers any way I can,” Anderson said. “They’re my friends, and I saw a need and thought, Let’s try and help these guys out.”

The 2026 irrigation season marks the third year under the current mitigation framework. If users exceed their allocations this summer, they could face zero water availability in 2027, creating significant operational challenges.