Fish Habitat

We oppose development in the Snake River watershed that threatens to further compromise of the River’s fisheries and wildlife habitat. To volunteer in the efforts below, contact the Waterkeeper directly.

“Adopt-a-Stream”

Snake River Waterkeeper is pioneering Idaho’s first ever comprehensive river cleanup initiative by partnering with state agencies, student groups, local businesses, outfitters, and institutions to organize and lead state-wide biannual river cleanups.

“Snake Eyes” Riverwatch Program

A region-wide network was formed by the Snake River Waterkeeper in 2014 to:

• Engage local communities and river users to take accountability for home rivers by monitoring and reporting violations they witness.
• Pool knowledge, share individual rivers’ specific needs, and facilitate fish habitat improvement.
• Urge local media to educate the public and fully expose polluters.
• Request public hearings or demand prosecutorial action for reported violations in order to compel cessation.

UnderCutts Program

Water quantity is one of the most important issues facing conservation in this country. Water scarcity is growing as we feel increasing changes in climate and ever-expanding demands for water. Unless the conservation community meaningfully engages in water allocation and water conservation policies and processes today, fish and wildlife will be among the first casualties of such scarcity. As part of its efforts to preserve water, Snake River Waterkeeper:

• Engages fishermen and river users about water resource management issues and processes.
• Enhances conservation, in-stream flows and public access.
• Promotes non-structural flood control alternatives in headwater streams.
• Opposes ill-conceived new water development schemes and dams.
• Monitors in-stream flows, fish habitat, and stream cover to evaluate populations and health of genetically-distinct native trout sub-species.
• Samples and evaluates temperature, water chemistry, insect, invasive species, and algae populations in Snake Basin rivers and tributaries.
• Builds databasse of baseline biological data to monitor river health, track water quality, and justify improvement of degraded waters.
• Submits reports and recommendations to agencies managing and regulating adjacent land use with regard to stream cover and depth.
• Tours threatened streams with agencies, members, and interested parties.
• Fences cattle away from fragile stream banks to reduce trampling and destruction.
• With permission and collaboration from private and federal land managers, installs and maintains comprehensive of riparian fencing.
• Organizes volunteer restoration efforts for degraded stream reaches.