Springsnails are tiny snails that live near springs or near the banks of rivers. They thrive in areas with high salinity that in some cases exceed that of seawater. Their small shells have a conical, whorled shape that can be pale pink to tan colored. These species play an important role in ecosystem health by recycling plant and animal waste and also as food for fish, amphibians, insects, and birds. With increased damming of natural waterways, pollutants from agricultural runoff, and habitat degradation, these snail populations are declining rapidly.

The Jackson Lake springsnail, once common in Jackson Lake in northwestern Wyoming, has declined by over 75% because of habitat loss. It now survives in only a single location. The Harney Lake springsnail was once found in springs throughout eastern Oregon but has declined by over 60% because of habitat loss and is now found at only four locations. The Columbia springsnail was once widespread in the lower Columbia River, but has declined because of dams and has been reduced to only six locations.

Although the snail was once relatively widespread and abundant in the Black Hills, it is now rare and threatened with extinction. Extensive habitat destruction and degradation is believed to have caused the snail's decline and endangerment. Today, the snail is found only in areas that have remained relatively undisturbed. Because of the species' rare status, extensive habitat destruction and degradation throughout the Black Hills, and other factors threatening the species, leading experts recommended that the species be listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1993. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuses to take steps to protect the species or its habitat.

The Idaho springsnail is closely related to the Jackson, Harney Lake, and Columbia springsnails, and is already protected under the Endangered Species Act. Recent studies suggest that these four variations could in fact be a single species. In July 2004, Center for Native Ecosystems and several partner groups filed a petition for Endangered Species Act protection for the Jackson Lake, Harney Lake, and Columbia Spring snails.