University of Idaho Experts Available to Assist Media Following Idaho Statewide Drought Emergency Declaration
Idaho Drought Emergency Prompts U of I to Offer Expert Resources
MOSCOW, Idaho — Following a statewide drought emergency declaration issued April 13, the University of Idaho has made a roster of faculty experts available to media and the public to help explain what worsening drought conditions mean for Idaho’s water supply, agricultural economy, wildfire risk, and communities across the state.
The emergency order cited record-low snowpack, unusually warm winter and early spring temperatures, and widespread drought conditions across nearly all Idaho water basins. Many areas are already facing reduced streamflow and the potential for significant irrigation shortages during the current growing season — a concern that strikes at the heart of Latah County’s agricultural heritage and the broader Palouse region’s wheat and lentil production economy.
University of Idaho officials in Moscow said faculty members spanning hydrology, agricultural economics, wildfire science, water law, and climate research are prepared to speak with reporters and policymakers seeking to understand the scope of the crisis.
Water Supply, Agriculture, and Wildfire Among Key Concerns
Among those available is Russell Qualls, associate professor and Idaho state climatologist with UI Extension, who also serves as a member of the Idaho Drought Committee and the Pacific Northwest Drought Early Warning System. Qualls’ expertise covers drought monitoring, snowpack, precipitation, evaporation, and climate trends — all of which are central to understanding how Idaho arrived at this point and what the coming months may bring.
Kendra Kaiser, assistant professor and director of the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, is available to address watershed hydrology and hydrologic modeling. Timothy Link, professor of hydrology and director of the water resources graduate program, brings expertise in snow, forest, and mountain hydrology and the impacts of weather and climate variations on water resources.
For Idaho’s farming communities — which underpin much of Latah County’s local economy — the drought’s impact on irrigation and crop production is a pressing issue. Meetpal Kukal, assistant professor of hydrologic science and water management, specializes in agricultural water management and the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Emily Bedwell, an assistant professor and Extension specialist in irrigation, focuses on water use efficiency and soil moisture monitoring during periods of limited water supply.
Wildfire risk, which historically escalates during drought years in Idaho, is addressed by Leda Kobziar, professor of wildland fire science, whose expertise includes smoke, prescribed burning, and human health impacts. Dennis Becker, dean of the College of Natural Resources, brings additional perspective on wildfire policy, economics, and landowner programs.
Agricultural economics experts are also on hand. Alex Maas, associate professor of agricultural economics, can speak to resource allocation and the economic impacts of water policy. Katherine Lee, also an associate professor of agricultural economics, focuses specifically on drought impacts on livestock production — a concern for ranchers across the region. Patrick Hatzenbuehler is available to discuss agricultural markets, commodity pricing, and policy implications.
On the legal side, Dylan Hedden-Nicely, a professor of law, offers expertise in water law, tribal treaty rights, and jurisdiction — matters that frequently intersect with drought management and water allocation disputes in Idaho. The University of Idaho College of Law recently named finalists for its next dean, signaling continued institutional momentum at a time when legal expertise in natural resource issues is especially relevant to Idaho communities.
For those interested in long-term climate trends, Grant Harley, associate dean and associate professor of geography, specializes in drought history, tree-ring science, and paleoclimate research. His work provides historical context for understanding how the current drought compares to past dry cycles across the region.
What Comes Next
With irrigation season underway and snowpack already well below normal levels, Idaho farmers, ranchers, water managers, and local governments will face difficult decisions in the weeks and months ahead. The University of Idaho’s mobilization of expert resources represents a tangible contribution from Moscow’s flagship land-grant institution during a critical moment for the state’s agricultural and natural resource sectors.
Media members seeking expert interviews are encouraged to reach out directly to listed faculty or contact external communications coordinator Danae Lenz at dlenz@uidaho.edu or 208-885-1605. For statewide coverage of the drought emergency and its broader policy implications, visit Idaho News.