Friends of the Teton River (FTR) is honored to once again be a participant in the Community Foundation of Teton Valley’s Tin Cup Challenge. The funds raised during these six weeks are crucial to our mission of restoring and protecting the Teton River Watershed, ensuring a lasting legacy of clean water, healthy streams, and a thriving wild fishery.
At Friends of the Teton River, we deeply value the power of collaboration. From the dedication of our volunteers to the generosity of our donors, each individual’s contribution, no matter how big or small, is vital to our conservation efforts in the Teton River Watershed. Read on to hear more about our exciting community-wide collaborations that you have made possible.
This year, we partnered with Teton Valley Trout Unlimited and Idaho Master Naturalists to bring Trout in the Classroom to local schools. This allows students in the Teton River watershed to raise trout from eggs to fry in their classrooms, learn about the trout life cycle, and connect to the Teton River fishery. Participating classrooms included Tetonia Elementary, Driggs Elementary, Victor Elementary, and Teton High School.
In fall 2023, FTR and the Canyon Creek Canal Company initiated a $4 million joint project to enhance three irrigation diversion structures in the Teton River Canyon. When complete, this will enable ten out of eleven Canyon Creek Canal Company shareholders to permanently relocate their diversion point to the Teton River below the Canyon Creek confluence, closing the Canyon Creek Canal diversion. Additionally, the project aims to seasonally restore up to 70 cfs of water to Canyon Creek, vital for the future of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in the Teton River Watershed.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently awarded $2.5 million to the City of Driggs to restore 1.5 miles of Teton Creek streambanks and floodplains from 5th Street to Highway 33. This will reduce the potential for flood damage while benefiting fish habitat and water quality. Additionally, FTR has been selected as a recipient of a $400,000 grant from the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program to develop a comprehensive water strategy for the Teton Creek area, collaborating with stakeholders to improve water management, conservation, and ecosystem health.
The Teton Basin Water Users Association (TBWUA) comprised of agricultural producers, conservation groups, and community leaders, has been dedicated to stabilizing the water supply in Teton Valley since 2014. Their efforts to implement an incidental aquifer recharge program aim to solve water supply issues for agricultural producers, valley residents, and ecosystem needs. In 2024, TBWUA achieved a significant milestone by becoming an independent 501(c)(3) organization equipped with a clear mission and a board of directors. This status enables the organization to seek funding and receive private donations, which is crucial as the region faces unprecedented water challenges and potential curtailment of water rights based on calls from downstream water users.
Your support ensures we can continue our impactful work – restoring riparian habitats, promoting sustainable water management practices, conducting water quality monitoring programs, increasing water availability, and educating the next generation of water stewards.
As FTR approaches our 25th Anniversary next summer, we are filled with gratitude for all we have accomplished together. Our achievements are a testament to the power of community and collaboration, and we are deeply appreciative of your partnership in this essential work. We eagerly look ahead to the work still to come, knowing that every action we take, and every donation we receive brings us closer to our shared vision: a thriving Teton River watershed. Your support is invaluable. Thank you.
