Code amendment · Planning application
Gem County approves code change allowing hydropower in irrigation canals
Black Canyon Irrigation District asked for the change so small hydropower generators can be built inside canals and ditches using existing water flow. The amendment is a text change to county code and does not approve any specific project.
Location
This filing changes the city's rules rather than a specific site, so there's nothing to map.
From the filing
The application's description as it appears in Gem County's record. See the official record
Black Canyon Irrigation District has asked Gem County to change its zoning code so that small hydropower generators can be built inside irrigation canals and ditches, using the water already flowing there. Right now the code only allows electricity generation from natural gas, biomass, solar, or wind, so the change would let these projects apply for a conditional use permit that the county could approve, approve with conditions, or deny. The amendment is a text change to the county code and does not approve any specific project.
revising Gem County Code 11-6-5.M. Electricity Generating Facilities with the addition of hydropower generation specific for irrigation district and ditch company use.
Project name on file: Proposed Amendment to GCC 11-6-5.M.
Timeline
Today
Status set to Approved
Reported as “Approved (Gem County Board of County Commissioners)”.
Jan. 5, 2026
Approved
Gem County Board of County Commissioners: Approved.
Jan. 5, 2026
Public hearing: Gem County Board of County Commissioners
Nov. 10, 2025
Gem County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval
Nov. 10, 2025
Public hearing: Gem County Planning and Zoning Commission
Documents
Staff reports
- Download Zoning text amendment for in-conduit hydropower generation
Black Canyon Irrigation District's application, submitted through a law firm cover letter, to amend the zoning code to allow incidental in-conduit hydropower in irrigation facilities.
Nov. 9, 2025 · 6 pages · 3.7 MB · Staff Report
Notices
- Download Planning and Zoning Commission agenda, Nov. 10 regular meeting
Agenda for the November 10, 2025 meeting, listing two preliminary subdivision plats and a proposed amendment to county code on hydropower generation for irrigation districts.
Nov. 9, 2025 · 2 pages · 146 KB · Agenda
- Download Notice of the Nov. 10 Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing
Gem County notice of a Nov. 10, 2025 hearing on two preliminary subdivision plats and a proposed Title 11 amendment adding irrigation-district hydropower generation.
Nov. 9, 2025 · 2 pages · 213 KB · Notice