Lodging Tax Board approves $60K for Snake River Headwaters data dashboard

The Jackson Hole Travel & Tourism Board (JHTTB) voted 5-0 on Feb. 12 to award $60,000 in community-partnership funding to the Snake River Fund for a proposed Snake River Headwaters “Data Dashboard,” reducing the request from $75,000 and directing the money to come from the board’s unallocated reserves. The vote followed a discussion about keeping reserves from dropping too low while still making a “catalytic” investment in a project members said aligns with the board’s destination-stewardship mission. (Regular Meeting Minutes)

According to meeting discussion and written comments, the dashboard concept is to consolidate already-existing data—streamflows, water temperatures, water quality indicators, habitat conditions and recreation/visitor-safety information—into a single, user-friendly public platform. Supporters argued that data currently exists but is fragmented across agencies and websites, limiting how well residents, outfitters, visitors, educators and resource managers can use it for real-time decisions and longer-term stewardship. (Snake River Headwaters Data Dashboard Public Comments)

Board members also pressed presenters on long-term maintenance funding, comparisons to other destinations, and whether partners would help sustain the tool after launch. Public comments in the record from Grand Teton National Park, Teton Conservation District and Trout Unlimited urged approval, describing the dashboard as a way to improve access to timely conditions information and reduce recreation conflicts during periods of stress on the river system. (Regular Meeting Minutes; Snake River Headwaters Data Dashboard Public Comments)