JACKSON, Wyo. — Join Protect our Water Jackson Hole for the Rally for Clean Water on Sept. 8 at Center for the Arts to learn about how we can restore and protect our water resources. This free family-friendly event is from 4-9 p.m. on the lawn, theater and lobby at The Center and will bring the community together to raise awareness, discuss solutions, and inspire action for the water quality issues facing Teton County.
There is a strong body of evidence that suggests the groundwater in our aquifer is being contaminated.
What is an aquifer? An aquifer is an underground layer of permeable rock that holds water. Our aquifer is extra special because it is designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Sole Source Aquifer. Two factors influence this important designation. First, the Snake River Sole Source Aquifer provides drinking water to nearly the entire population of the region, and second, there are no viable alternative drinking water sources to serve our community.
Groundwater flowing through our Sole Source Aquifer is inextricably linked to surface waters flowing through the Snake River and its tributaries. Therefore, there is a need to protect and restore our Sole Source Aquifer not only for us as humans but also to keep the form and function of our ecosystem intact.
Here we are, in the Snake River Headwaters watershed, in the middle of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and our water is no longer pristine.
Sections of the Snake River, both north and south of town, are protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act because of their outstandingly remarkable values including scenery, recreation, fisheries and wildlife. Designating a river as wild and scenic is the highest form of protection a river can get. Once a river is designated as wild and scenic its free-flowing character, water quality, and outstanding values must be maintained and enhanced in perpetuity. It is our responsibility to care for this vital natural resource as it passes, unprotected, through our small community.
In the past, it was thought that “the solution to pollution is dilution.” Well, thanks to this outdated management approach and the rapid growth of our community, we now face a reality where our Sole Source Aquifer is ailing due to historic and continued degradation from human activity.
Teton County’s population growth and continually intensifying tourism pressure are poised to continue. This trajectory has resulted in declining drinking water quality, more impaired streams, and negative impacts on aquatic habitats in Teton County.
All the while, the entire Snake River Basin remains in a drought. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation stated that Jackson Lake is at historically low water levels. Furthermore, nearly all of the reserve water stored in the lake will be released down the Snake River to meet the irrigation needs of farmers in Idaho.
Less water equals a higher concentration of pollution in our watershed.
Our way of life depends on a healthy, resilient aquifer. Healthy aquatic ecosystems provide critical wildlife habitats and places for us to fish, paddle and swim. From tourism to recreation and ranching, our economy depends on clean water. It is clear that ours is not a sustainable trajectory. Our community needs to restore and protect our Sole Source Aquifer so that we can continue to enjoy and share our paradise, which is the Snake River Headwaters.
