Associated Press - August 24, 2009 8:14 PM ET

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) - A southern Idaho judge put well closures ordered by the Idaho Department of Water Resources on hold, saying doing otherwise would result in "great harm" to affected farmers.

Fifth District Court Judge John Melanson said Monday the curtailment on about 150 junior groundwater rights in four counties should be halted pending a further court order.

Clear Springs Foods of Buhl, which raises trout, relies on spring water from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer that stretches from Hagerman to St. Anthony. Clear Springs Foods contends pumping from the aquifer has reduced spring flows to which it has a legal right.

The Department of Water Resources had imposed a water curtailment on groundwater pumpers that affects more than 4,000 acres.

While Melanson agreed Clear Springs has the law on its side, he said that injury to the company resulting from halting the curtailment "will not be that great, at least as to the quantity of water."

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