Water District FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Please see the map below for a visual. Water District 65 regulates Idaho surface-water diversions from the Payette River in addition to regulating surface-water diversions from Payette River tributaries upstream from the Payette River’s confluence with the Snake River.

Neither the State of Idaho nor IDWR fund the operation of water districts or water district staff. Water districts are funded through assessments paid by the water users within the district. Each water user is assessed a proportion of the water district’s adopted budget based on the amount of water that was delivered by the watermaster during the past season or seasons. 

At the water district annual meeting, water users vote to adopt a budget sufficient for paying the cost of delivering water for the upcoming season.

No. The smaller users will only have to pay the minumim assessment once per year. 

The larger users ( irrigation districts, canal companies, large ranches) will be assessed on the amount of water that they divert for the season no matter how many water right they have.

The measurement requirements of the order do not apply to certain domestic and stockwater uses and diversions for irrigation uses of five acres or less and non-irrigation uses with a total diversion rate of 0.24 cfs or less.  Note: A common or shared point of diversion serving multiple water rights must be measured if the sum of authorized irrigated acres exceeds five or the total diversion rate of non-irrigation use exceeds 0.24 cfs. 

June 1, 2026

If a water user cannot meet the installation deadline, the Department may grant an

extension of time. An extension request for each diversion must be submitted to the

Department no later than March 1, 2026. Extension requests will be considered on a case-

by-case basis. Conditions that may qualify for an extension of time include, but are not

limited to, the following:

a. Site specific condition(s) that prevent accurate water measurement;

b. Delays caused by the requirements of other government entities; or

c. The diversion is unused.