Buying Idaho Land with Water Rights

Are you looking for farmland or acreage in Idaho? One of the most important factors to consider when buying a farm or ranch is the water rights situation.  This blog offers a comprehensive look into the ins and outs of buying land with water rights in Idaho. Discover what you need to know before taking the plunge and find out what how water rights in Idaho work.

Buying Land in Idaho with Water Rights

What is a Water Right?

In the State of Idaho, the state's constitution declares all natural channels of water including rivers, natural springs, and lakes are public waters. A water right is essentially the permission to divert these public waters and put them to beneficial use. Some water rights are given directly to a landowner from the state while others are supplied through an irrigation district and each user pays a fee for their individual allowances.

Are Water Rights Included?

How the water rights are acquired varies depending on the state or region you live in. Also depending on the property, the water situation could be complex. I highly recommend contacting an expert to help you navigate through the nuances. I would start with the Idaho Department of Water Resources to find out how many acres of water rights are included with the property. To dive deeper you can hire a water rights engineer or specialist.

How Can I Use the Water?

Once you find out what water rights you have, it is important to understand how you are allowed to use them. Some rights are strictly for irrigation while others may be used for stock water or domestic use. You will want to understand this in detail because if you plan to plant crops but the rights are only allowed for stock water this could present an issue.

Another important step is to identify the point of diversion (POD) from the natural water source, such as a pump or headgate. Confirm you have direct access or an easement to the POD. Also, be sure to view a map of the place of use (POU) to verify the POU outlined is where you intend to use it.

How Much Do Water Rights Cost?

As previously mentioned some rights are supplied through an irrigation district. These districts have annual assessments and account fees the landowner must pay. There are typically no administrative costs if you own the rights directly through the state, however, there may a cost through the power company to run the pump that is diverting the water to your land.

What do Priority Dates Mean?

Water rights will have priority dates attached to them indicating when the right was established. In case of a water shortage, Idaho law uses this priority date to determine how they appropriate the water. Basically, it is a "first in time is first in right". Therefore, the older the priority date the better!

Final Note: If you don't use them you could lose them! Rights could be lost if not used for a continuous 5-year period.

17 Properties
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3
Beds
1
Baths
1,318
Sq.Ft.
20
Days on Site
98871017
MLS
This amazing family estate property is being offered for sale for the first time in over 45 years. This hard to find Payette County original parcel has an older residence and as per Payette County...
3
Beds
2
Baths
2,064
Sq.Ft.
49
Days on Site
98868543
MLS
Former Dairy in real good shape, very clean operation, would make great dairy heifer raising facility, feedlot, dairy, horse farm or ? Pride of ownership, lots of buildings, lots of concrete, lots of...
$795,000
Neighborhood: 0 Not Applic.
2
Beds
1
Baths
1,040
Sq.Ft.
54
Days on Site
98868237
MLS
20 Acres of Pasture and Alfalfa mix hay. Bring animals and live the country life on this property that is just the right size parcel. The great thing about this property is there is a move in...
$1,200,000
Neighborhood: 0 Not Applic.
2
Beds
1
Baths
2,079,554
Sq.Ft. Lot
69
Days on Site
98867173
MLS
Excellent opportunity to purchase Farm ground with Industrial potential. Approximately 1100 feet of State highway frontage. At the convergence of US 95 and US 20-26. Adjacent to a Natural Gas line....
2
Beds
1
Baths
660
Sq.Ft.
83
Days on Site
98866154
MLS
Hard to find 20 Acres on the desired Emmett bench, less than 3 mi. to town. Great Views. Old 2 bdrm home, Livable, but a fixer upper. Large trees around home. Covered patio on back. Outbuilding needs...
1,650,924
Sq.Ft. Lot
150
Days on Site
98862339
MLS
37.95 IRRIGATED ACRES! Currently being farmed, 2022 consisted of Alfalfa Hay and wheat. This property will come with one building permit. Centrally located just minutes to Kuna, Melba and Nampa. This...
3
Beds
2
Baths
889,495
Sq.Ft. Lot
162
Days on Site
98861437
MLS
Hay fields brought in 31 ton of hay within the past year. There are cherry, apricot, apple and plum trees. There is so much potential for this property and has plenty of farm equipment included in...
$3,950,000
Neighborhood: 0 Not Applic.
3
Beds
3
Baths
2,435
Sq.Ft.
163
Days on Site
98840981
MLS
Once in a lifetime opportunity, Curlew Ranch a family legacy property w/ mile of Payette River Frontage. Productive irrigated farm ground. Main home is situated above river, w/expansive views....
2,094,365
Sq.Ft. Lot
201
Days on Site
98857842
MLS
48.08 acres of some of the richest farmland in the Treasure Valley with Wilder Flood Irrigation water and full concrete ditches. Land is leased to the same farmer that has farmed it for years and the...
2
Beds
3
Baths
1,432
Sq.Ft.
210
Days on Site
98856971
MLS
Organic orchard lying between the Black Canyon Canal and the Farmers Cooperative Canal on the outskirts of Emmett, Idaho. This orchard has been pesticide free for over 20 years! It consists of 48...
3,456,922
Sq.Ft. Lot
225
Days on Site
98855300
MLS
79 acres with fertile row crop soils for 70 irrigated acres. Currently leased. The non-irrigated land has some trees and would make a nice spot for a home site. Build your dream home and lease out...
3
Beds
3
Baths
1,757,646
Sq.Ft. Lot
306
Days on Site
98844597
MLS
Equestrian Lovers Dream! Live, work, play and ride w/o having to leave home! Mountain views, amazing sunsets and miles of trails to go ride all outside your front door. Cozy country home featuring a...
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