Drought emergencies declared in 3 counties

Boise _ In anticipation of another dry summer, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne declared drought emergencies in Blaine, Butte and Lincoln counties Tuesday.

"I believe these three counties are just the beginning. It's already predicted that this is going to be one of the driest years in the past 100 years," Kempthorne said. "Many of our reservoirs are already very low and we have 50 percent of normal snowpack. We don't anticipate being able to recharge those reservoirs."

The governor said the measures allow water users to work with the Idaho Department of Water Resources to temporarily secure extra water.

The department recommended the declarations after reviewing county requests. The Idaho Water Supply Committee estimates streamflows will be 40 to 60 percent of normal in the three counties.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Answers

Clearly what is needed here is a diversion of the Mississippi...

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Brooks, Funny you should mention that. California has been trying for years to get us to divert the Columbia River. Over our dead bodies. :) I'm sure the people along the Missispi feel the same way we do.

Kip

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Kip, So. Fla. has been under water rationing for a while now. According to the almanac we are going to have a dry year, basically for the whole state.

But, nothing that we can't get thru, right?

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Barefoot, Conservation being the key word here.

Kip

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001