Idaho Rivers United

05/28/2026

The Teton Dam failed 50 years ago — a terrible story for the residents of eastern Idaho. Below is the intro to a larger essay on how the dam came to be and the tragic events of June 5th, 1976. As somber as this memorial is, this is also an opportunity to speak out against ill-conceived dam projects. Ideas about rebuilding the Teton Dam are gathering steam, and Idaho Rivers United is firmly opposed to any plan to erect a dam in a place that has already proven itself to be unsuitable for water storage.
***
At 7:30 am, it was a wet, muddy spot on the downstream side of a brand-new earthen dam. By noon, it had briefly become one of the most powerful rivers in the world. Before it completed its first fill, the $100 million Teton Dam suffered a catastrophic failure over the course of a single morning with grim consequences: 11 people dead, close to 20,000 livestock killed, 100,000 acres of farmland ruined, and a disaster area of 3 towns that now looked like a warzone.

What were the primary reasons that led to this tragedy? Greed, hubris, and an unwillingness to listen to science. What is even more unnerving? The increasing pressure to rebuild the Teton Dam and try again.

🔗Read the full essay: https://www.idahorivers.org/news/teton-dam-failure-50

📸 1-3: the waterarchives.org;
4: Scott Bosse

05/24/2026

Welcome back to Name That River! It seems as though Round One was too easy for some people, so hopefully this week’s edition will be a little more challenging. What’s the River, and what is the specific features in the video for bonus points? Here’s your hint: We would highly recommend NOT boating through this particular spot at the end of a rafting trip…

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! Get out and enjoy your rivers!

05/22/2026

It feels good to have the community recognize the hard work our volunteers put in.

A staple in the Treasure Valley is the Boise River. As beautiful as it is, every year it faces the same issue of thousands of pounds of trash polluting the area.

05/22/2026

Great coverage on our Boise River Stewardship program! Thank you to everyone who pitches in to help protect our river!

05/21/2026

Idaho Falls showed up for the river. 🌿 Small acts protect wild places.

Last weekend, 43 volunteers came together to help care for the Snake River corridor — removing 542 pounds of trash and debris from the river and surrounding areas. From families and first-time volunteers to longtime river advocates, every person who showed up helped protect a place that matters deeply to this community.

We’re incredibly grateful to the volunteers, organizers, cleanup leads, and local partners who made this event possible.

Special thanks to our supply station volunteers — Wes, Nancy, Kayla, and Tom from Greater Yellowstone Coalition — for the time and energy they contributed both during and leading up to the cleanup.

And thank you to Idaho Brewing Company for hosting volunteers afterward and helping recruit cleanup participants, and to Dry Creek Property for transporting collected trash to the dump.

Because of support like this, Idaho Rivers United is able to continue expanding river cleanup efforts across Idaho.

Broulim's Dry Creek Properties and Land LLC Great Harvest Bakery Cafe - Idaho Falls

05/14/2026

Idaho Falls — this one’s for you. 🌿

The river running through this community shapes so much of what we love about living here — the greenbelt walks, summer evenings, fishing spots, paddle days, wildlife, memories with friends and family.

Places like this don’t stay beautiful by accident.

On May 16, we’re showing up together to care for the Snake River and the spaces that connect our community. Whether you come with friends, family, coworkers, or show up solo, you’re part of something bigger the moment you arrive.

Signup link in bio

And afterward? We celebrate. 🍻

Join us after the cleanup from 1–3 PM at Idaho Brewing Company for volunteer happy hour pricing, giveaways, and a chance to connect with other people who care deeply about this place too.

✨ Idaho Falls River Cleanup
🗓 May 16, 2026
🕥 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
🍻 Volunteer social: 1–3 PM at Idaho Brewing Company

If you’ve been wanting to get involved locally, meet good people, spend time outside, or simply give back to the river that gives so much to this community — this is your sign.

Bring a friend.
Show up for your river.
Let’s make Idaho Falls proud. 🤍

05/12/2026

Last week, IRU and our longstanding coalition partners filed a preliminary injunction asking the court to halt Perpetua Resource's plans to move forward with preliminary construction at the Stibnite Mine.

This same coalition filed suit against the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for violating NEPA and for failing to protect bull trout, wolverine, and whitebark pine under the Endangered Species Act.

“In light of Perpetua’s push to begin full construction, court intervention is necessary to protect critical habitat in the South Fork Salmon watershed from damages that simply cannot be undone,” said Nick Kunath, Conservation Director at Idaho Rivers United. “This watershed and all that it provides deserves much more than allowing Perpetua to plow forward with damaging activities before the case before the court has had a chance to be resolved.”

The injunction seeks to ensure that irreversible damages that would occur through the construction of the Burntlog Route and initial site preparation do not occur before the larger case has fully run its course.

🔗 Read the full press release: https://www.idahorivers.org/press-releases/stibnite-preliminary-injunction-filing

📷: Ecoflight, Brooke Hess

05/11/2026

***UPDATE: the cleanup is delayed until May 19th due to forecasted high winds tomorrow! Safety first! Ice cream will still be enjoyed next week!***

🌏Join us for the next Adopt-the-Greenbelt Boise River cleanup on Tuesday, May 19th (the video and photo are incorrect due to a weather delay)! Required signup and more info at the link in bio 🔗 or at idahorivers.org/volunteer

The cleanup is 6-7:30, and afterwards we will walk to The STIL for a free scoop of ice cream! Thanks so much to for their generosity!

05/10/2026

Girls who get outside together, stay outside together. 🌿

There’s something special about the kind of community that’s built outside - shared miles, river days, camp chairs in the sand, meeting someone new and feeling like you’ve known them for years.

Women of Idaho Outdoors is creating space for more women to connect with each other and with the places that make Idaho feel like home. Whether you’re brand new to outdoor adventure or already planning your next trip, there’s a place for you here.

Join us for an evening of community, conversation, giveaways, and good people - all in support of Idaho Rivers United.

✨ Whimsical attire + favorite hats encouraged
🍻 Bert’s Brewing is donating 10% of proceeds to IRU
🍖 R & R BBQ on site
🎁 Giveaways throughout the evening

📍 Bert’s Brewing — Garden City
3577 Brown St, Garden City, ID 83714
🗓 May 14, 2026
⏰ 6–8 PM

Bring a friend. Meet new ones.
Outside is better together. 🤍

05/08/2026

Thank you so much for supporting Idaho Rivers United during Idaho Gives! With so many deserving organizations out there doing some of the most important work in Idaho, we are truly humbled that so many people donated to IRU. We surpassed our match, so that generous donation from Christopher Guest and Jamie Lee Curtis has been fully realized.

Thank you everyone – now go out and enjoy those rivers you helped protect!

📷: South Fork Salmon River