Water rushes out of Shoshone Falls, nearly 212 feet high, this water will continue one its journey on to our valley.
The Idaho Power Dam, located just above Shoshone Falls, produces electricity for its Idaho Power customers. 
Winter runoff fills the rivers and canals, and will eventually become irrigation water. 
Canals and ditches can be seen throughout the valley filled with irrigation water that farmers and residents will use to grow their crops and water their yards. 
Farmers use irrigation canals to keep their land hydrated and ready to produce crops. 
"I love to plant my garden every year. It has been a bit cold, but it is warming up. Soon my plants can move outside the greenhouse and into the ground," Dale Cortez's plants and greenhouse. 
Water pours out of faucets and will be used to water yards throughout the valley. 
Water explodes out of the NNU fountain. We really do have a beautiful campus. 
Water drips off this flower near the NNU main entrance. Water makes this a beautiful campus.
Water, Water, Water, and More Water!
By Nikki Shipman
Water is an essential part of daily life. We use water for nearly everything – from drinking, to growing crops, cooking food, watering the yard, or simply just to keep the valley green. Water is important to this community and our world.
Shoshone Falls towers over 212 feet tall. Water from this river will eventually reach our valley. “It is a beautiful sight. It really makes you think about how dramatic and vital water is,” said Sarah Wendell, a tourist at Shoshone Falls.
Located just above the great falls is the Idaho Power Dam, which produces electricity for the Idaho Power Company customers. The water rushes out of the dam at a violent speed. It tumbles to the ground and later flows through the Shoshone Falls.
Snow melt off is a huge resource to this valley. The snow melts, creating many small waterfalls throughout the mountains. It flows from the mountains and into the valley. It becomes the primary source that we use to water our yards and to grow food.
There are several hundred irrigation canals and ditches that run through the valley. These canals serve as homes for numerous animals, but most of all they provide us with irrigation water. “Water is important in the production of food. Without water and the irrigation system, my farm would not be possible,” said farmer Bill Hamons. Farmers take water from the larger canals and pump it onto their land so that they can use it to grow food.
Gardeners also value water. “Every year I plant my own fruits and veggies. Without water, I would not be able to plant my garden,” said Dale Cortez, an avid gardener.
Water is used to make our valley lush and green. The Treasure Valley is a desert. Without water our valley would be dry, but with water we are able to live in a beautiful green place full of color. The fountain downtown Nampa, the fountain on campus, and all of the beautiful flowers and plants that fill this valley are here because of water.
What are you doing to protect our water supply? Are you conserving water for future generations? Water is an essential part of life and is needed for just about everything.
