The friends of the teton river, located in driggs, idaho, will partner with the city of driggs, grand teton canal company, and other local stakeholders to develop a strategy to prioritize…

The Friends of the Teton River, a non-profit organization located in Driggs, Idaho, received a $588,844 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) grant program (CFDA 15.507). The funding will support a collaborative effort with the City of Driggs, Grand Teton Canal Company, and other local stakeholders to develop a strategy for prioritizing infrastructure modernization projects, improving water management strategies, and addressing aquatic restoration objectives in the Teton River basin. Key activities include conducting detailed research and analysis to create preliminary designs, costs, and legal/environmental requirements for prioritized projects, as well as seeking stakeholder input through facilitated meetings. The project aims to address challenges such as declining aquifer levels, land use changes, and stream flow alteration, which have resulted in chronic stream dewatering, high sediment mobilization, and vulnerabilities in Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations. The award period runs from August 30, 2024, to December 31, 2026.

The friends of the teton river, located in driggs, idaho, will partner with the city of driggs, grand teton canal company, and other local stakeholders to develop a strategy to prioritize infrastructure modernization projects, improve water management strategies, and address aquatic restoration objectives. The friends of the teton river is a watershed group that was formed through a 2016 watersmart cooperative watershed restoration program grant by a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, anglers, scientists, local agencies and conservation organizations concerned by the declines in the health of the teton river. The teton river has been impacted by declining aquifer levels, land use changes, and stream flow alteration, resulting in chronic stream dewatering, high levels of sediment mobilization, and vulnerabilities in yellowstone cutthroat trout populations. The partners will conduct detailed research, and analysis to develop preliminary design and costs, and legal and environmental requirements for prioritized projects. The partners will seek input from stakeholders through facilitated meetings. This project is supported by the nature conservancy, the teton creek flood control district, legacyworks group, and the project partners.