The Idaho Washington Aquifer Collaborative (IWAC) is a collaborative of Spokane and Kootenai County water purveyors (managers) drawing from the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer (SVRPA) and partnering in the shared stewardship of the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer and the Spokane River watershed.
IWAC sponsored an Aquifer Education Training Course on Sept. 24 at the Spokane County Water Resource Center. The morning class provided an update on Water Purveyor-led Modflow-USG hydrogeologic modeling of the SVRPA, presented information on Project WET for teaching aquifer protection, and described Spokane County Public Works and Panhandle Health District’s coordinated aquifer monitoring and protection activities of the SVRPA. To learn more, please contact: [email protected].
IWAC is working with professional hydrogeologists to update the 2007 United States Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrogeologic Model of the Rathdrum Prairie extent of the SVRPA to Modflow-USG. Modflow-USG updates will include refinements of subsurface inflows from perimeter lakes and other tributary watersheds, and interactions between the Spokane River and the SVRPA.
This updated model will be an essential tool for water purveyors (managers) in establishing robust wellhead protection plans now and into the future. Purveyors can also use this as a tool for aquifer demand projections under future climate forecasting and population growth.
Modflow-USG modeling updates have been completed over the Spokane County extent of the SVRPA and will integrate with the Modflow-USG updates over the Rathdrum Prairie to serve as one shared bi-state SVRPA aquifer model.
IWAC is grateful to have received grant awards from the Kootenai County Aquifer Protection District and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to assist us in funding this endeavor. This project is well underway with a completion date of October 2026.
We know we can’t wait for the aquifer model to be completed to make changes to how we utilize this precious sole source aquifer resource. Now is the time. We are already seeing the effects of population growth and climate change in this area. IWAC members believe everyone can make a difference in preserving and protecting our precious water resources. IWAC has enjoyed an aquifer protection partnership with the Spokane Aquifer Joint Board and the Spokane River Forum on shared conservation endeavors such as the Outdoor Watering Nerds website: outdoorwateringnerds.org. The site provides a multitude of outdoor water solutions to save water that is applicable to our community. Not only does saving water protect your pocketbook, but it also conserves the Spokane River and the Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.
IWAC’s message is simple. Our Water. Our Future. For membership information, or to become a sponsor of IWAC’s aquifer protection activities, find us at www.iwac.us or follow us on Instagram at id.wa.aquifercollaborative.
• • •
The Our Gem Coeur d’Alene Lake Collaborative is a team of committed and passionate professionals working to preserve lake health and protect water quality by promoting community awareness of local water resources through education, outreach and stewardship. Our Gem includes local experts from the University of Idaho — Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission, Kootenai Environmental Alliance, Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber of Commerce and Kootenai County.