Idaho Code
Idaho Code § 42-230 (2026)
Definitions.
✓ current as of May 2026
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Definitions.
(a) "Ground water" is all water under the surface of the ground whatever may be the geological structure in which it is standing or moving.
(1) All ground water having a temperature of greater than eighty-five (85) degrees Fahrenheit and less than two hundred twelve (212) degrees Fahrenheit in the bottom of a well shall be classified and administered as a low temperature geothermal resource pursuant to section 42-233, Idaho Code.
(2) All ground water having a temperature of two hundred twelve (212) degrees Fahrenheit or more in the bottom of a well shall be classified as a geothermal resource pursuant to section 42-4002, Idaho Code, and shall be administered as a geothermal resource pursuant to chapter 40, title 42, Idaho Code.
(b) "Well" is an artificial excavation or opening in the ground more than eighteen (18) feet in vertical depth below land surface by which ground water of any temperature is sought or obtained.
(c) "Well driller" is any person or group of persons who excavate or open a well or wells for compensation or otherwise upon the land of the well driller or upon other land. Well driller does not include those persons who construct a well on their own property for their own use without the aid of any power driven mechanical equipment.
(d) "Well drilling" or "drilling" for purposes of this chapter is the act of constructing a new well or deepening or modifying an existing well by any percussion, rotary, boring, digging, jetting, or augering method.
(e) "Water right" is the legal right, however acquired, to the use of water for beneficial purposes.
(f) "Operator" is the employee of the well driller who, through his work at the drilling site, causes the well to be drilled.
(g) "Low temperature geothermal resource well" means a well which is capable of producing a low temperature geothermal resource from which fluids can be produced which have value by virtue of the heat contained therein.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7
cases, 1968–2016 · leading case: Idaho Ground Water Appropriators v. Dept of Water Resources (42775) & City of Pocatello v. Rangen, Inc. (42836), 369 P.3d 897 (Idaho 2016).
Idaho Ground Water Appropriators v. Dept of Water Resources (42775) & City of Pocatello v. Rangen, Inc. (42836), 369 P.3d 897 (Idaho 2016). “” I.C. § 42-230(a). According to IGWA, Adjudication Rule 60 cannot be construed in a manner that forces the Director to fallaciously administer a ground water source as if it is surface water, contrary to the plain language of the Act.”
Clear Springs Foods, Inc. v. Spackman, 252 P.3d 71 (Idaho 2011). “The Spring Users are not appropriators of ground water, which is defined as “all water under the surface of the ground whatever may be the geological structure in which it is standing or moving,” Idaho Code § 42-230 (a). They are appropriators of surface water flowing from…”
A & B IRRIGATION Dist. v. Aberdeen-Am. Falls Ground Water Dist., 118 P.3d 78 (Idaho 2005). “Idaho Code § 42-230 defines ground water as “all water under the surface of the ground whatever may be the geological structure in which it is standing or moving.”
Ida-Therm, LLC v. Bedrock Geothermal, LLC, 293 P.3d 630 (Idaho 2012). “”), and I.C. § 42-230 ("All ground water having a temperature of two hundred twelve (212) degrees Fahrenheit or more in the bottom of a well shall be classified as a geothermal resource____”).”
United States v. Hagerman Water Right Owners, Inc., 947 P.2d 409 (Idaho 1997). “A decree issued in a private water adjudication binds only those parties to the decree.”
Branson v. Miracle, 687 P.2d 1348 (Idaho 1984). “I.C. § 42-230 defines ground water as “all water under the surface of the ground whatever may be the geological structure in which it is standing or moving.”
State Ex Rerl. Tappan v. Smith, 444 P.2d 412 (Idaho 1968). “” Article 15, Section 3, 2 of Idaho’s Constitution is the constitutional basis for our statutes regulating appropriation of waters of the state. Under our constitutional sanction, I.”
— Idaho Code § 42-230(a) — 1 case
Idaho Ground Water Appropriators v. Dept of Water Resources (42775) & City of Pocatello v. Rangen, Inc. (42836), 369 P.3d 897 (Idaho 2016). “” I.C. § 42-230(a). According to IGWA, Adjudication Rule 60 cannot be construed in a manner that forces the Director to fallaciously administer a ground water source as if it is surface water, contrary to the plain language of the Act.”
— Idaho Code § 42-230(a)(1) — 1 case
Ida-Therm, LLC v. Bedrock Geothermal, LLC, 293 P.3d 630 (Idaho 2012). “”), and I.C. § 42-230 ("All ground water having a temperature of two hundred twelve (212) degrees Fahrenheit or more in the bottom of a well shall be classified as a geothermal resource____”).”
— Idaho Code § 42-230(e) — 1 case
United States v. Hagerman Water Right Owners, Inc., 947 P.2d 409 (Idaho 1997). “A decree issued in a private water adjudication binds only those parties to the decree.”
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