An Idaho senator’s push for water storage — and where rebuilding the Teton Dam fits in
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Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, has made water storage a focus of his platform in the Idaho Legislature.
He joins Rett Nelson on “It’s Worth Mentioning” to talk about his perspective on the need for storage projects and why he believes it’s critical to Idaho’s future. He also discusses his long-term goal of having 750,000 acre-feet of surface water storage by 2100 and the significance behind that amount.
On the heels of a resolution he cosponsored in 2025 that identified six potential water storage sites across the state, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is now doing a study of those sites. One of those projects is a proposal to rebuild the Teton Dam.
Of all the proposals, Cook says the Teton Dam project is the most cost-effective and provides the most storage capacity.
There’s also a lot of support for the idea. Last year, Cook led a trip to Washington, D.C., and brought a petition with about 6,500 signatures from Idahoans expressing support for the Teton Dam rebuild and other water storage projects.
RELATED | Local legislator asking you to sign petition in support of water storage projects in Idaho
While Cook remains a proponent of it as well, he’s since shifted his focus. He explains why and discusses the biggest obstacles standing in the way.
He’s planning to return to D.C. later this month to meet with Idaho’s congressional delegates. He shares the reason for the trip this time around and what he hopes will come of it.
Amid a water shortage impacting every citizen of Idaho, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Watch previous episodes here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip or a guest idea, email rett@eastidahonews.com.
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