With Idaho’s population on track to hit 2.3 million by 2034, the race is on to secure the state’s most precious resources: water and energy. Traditional reservoirs aren’t the only answer. A collaborative team from Idaho State University and Boise State University is heading underground to investigate a “new-to-Idaho” solution: Subsurface Dams. By capturing spring snowmelt in high mountain aquifers, these hidden barriers could:
Protect the Landscape: Store massive amounts of water without the environmental footprint of massive surface dams.
Prevent Evaporation: Keep water cool and clean without losing a drop to the sun.
Generate Power: Harness elevation changes for hydroelectric energy.