The 35th annual Great Snake River Duck Race drew thousands to Idaho Falls this summer, but the event marked a historic first: not a single rubber duck made it over Idaho Falls.
The Idaho Falls Rotary Club released 30,000 ducks into the Snake River as part of the beloved community fundraiser. Of those, 24,257 were adopted by people across the region and beyond, supporting the club’s ongoing work on the Greenbelt.
Safety Concerns Drive First-Ever Decision to Keep Ducks from Falls
Rotary Club President Eugene Engmann cited unsafe water conditions as the reason organizers made the unprecedented call to keep the ducks from plunging over the falls. The club typically coordinates with Idaho Falls Power to lower the river’s flow rate during the race, allowing ducks to cross safely. An incident in early June, however, prevented that flow reduction from happening this year.
That incident involved John Green, a 54-year-old visitor from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who fell into the Snake River near the Broadway Street Bridge while touring the area during a business seminar. His remains have not been recovered. The tragedy prompted caution around water management during the duck race.
“We always appreciate that they are looking out for our safety,” Engmann told local media. “The duck race always has to end on a good note, and we try as much as possible to do that.”, as first reported by the EastIdahoNews.com
Community Steps Up Despite Heat
Despite temperatures climbing into the 90s, the event drew strong local participation. Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw joined volunteers in collecting ducks from the river, and more than a dozen residents helped fish them out. The Idaho Falls Fire Department assisted by spraying community members to help them cool off during the hot afternoon.
Among the volunteers were Chad Wheeler and his son Jasper, who used a fishing net to collect ducks. Wheeler, who had helped gather ducks in previous years, reflected on the day’s work and the community spirit it embodied.
“It was a beautiful day out here—beautiful community that we live in,” Chad Wheeler told the EastIdahoNews.com.
Decades of Fundraising for Local Projects
The duck race remains one of the region’s signature summer events. Over its 35-year history, the Rotary Club has raised more than $7 million through the race and related efforts to fund Greenbelt projects that enhance the community’s riverfront and parks.
The decision to hold ducks before the falls this year did not diminish the event’s purpose or spirit. Organizers and volunteers remained committed to the fundraiser’s tradition of bringing Idaho Falls residents together for a cause that benefits the entire community.
For those who adopted ducks this year, the purchase supported that legacy of local investment. And for the Wheeler family and other residents who spent their afternoon collecting ducks in the summer heat, the day reinforced what makes community service meaningful in Southeast Idaho.
What Comes Next
As the 2026 summer season continues, Idaho Falls residents can look forward to other community gatherings—including Chubbuck Days and its Fourth of July parade celebration, and Pocatello’s August First Friday Art Walk bringing downtown businesses together. The region is also preparing for another heat wave with wildfire smoke expected in coming weeks. The Rotary Club will assess next year’s duck race conditions as it continues planning future events that fund the Greenbelt and strengthen community bonds.