NEWS RELEASE: Idaho Conservation League unveils new State of the Snake Report emphasizing primary threats to health of Snake River and opportunities for improvement
For Immediate Release: Monday, June 29, 2026
Contacts:
Josh Johnson, Central Idaho Director, (208) 318-5808
Abby Urbanek, Communications & Media Manager, (208) 345-6933 x 214
Idaho Conservation League unveils new State of the Snake Report emphasizing primary threats to health of Snake River and opportunities for improvement
Boise, ID — The Idaho Conservation League (ICL) is announcing the release of a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of water quality in the Snake River across Idaho. The report—State of the Snake Report: Assessing the Health of Idaho’s Snake River—provides a clear understanding of the most pressing water quality challenges facing this vital resource and delves into how those challenges impact the health of the people, fish, and wildlife that rely on the river. It also offers recommendations and practical, achievable steps for improving the environmental health of the Snake River.
The Snake River is central to life in Idaho. The Snake irrigates farms, supplies water to communities, supports fish and wildlife, and offers places to fish, boat, and swim. But today, much of the river is often too polluted for Idahoans to safely enjoy or use due to three primary threats: agricultural pollution, invasive mussels, and toxic algae. This report demonstrates that while progress has been made in certain areas—most notably reductions in total phosphorus concentrations in the Mid and Lower Snake—the river is not as healthy as it could or should be.
“The river certainly isn’t as polluted as it was decades ago, but there is still significant room for water quality improvement,” said Josh Johnson, ICL’s Central Idaho Director and author of the report.
Water quality in the Snake River is a top concern for Idahoans. ICL-commissioned polling conducted in 2021 showed that 92% of respondents rated Snake River water quality as an important issue. However, the Snake has also been referred to as “Idaho’s sewer system,” a stark reminder that much work remains to improve the health of the river.
The recommendations outlined in this report provide a roadmap for accelerating the transition to a healthier Snake River—from laying the groundwork for a watershed-scale restoration initiative, to targeting pollution reductions where they will have the greatest impact, to strengthening invasive species prevention and investing in proactive toxic algae monitoring.
“The Snake River stands at an inflection point,” concluded Johnson. “We have an opportunity to commit to a future where the river is once once again safe, swimmable, fishable, and capable of supporting both communities across the Snake River Plain and a healthy ecosystem.”
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ICL’s mission is to create a conservation community and pragmatic, enduring solutions that protect and restore the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the land and wildlife you love.
