The Panhandle Lakes Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area is located in north Idaho.  The authorized area is bordered on the north by Canada and on the east and west by the states of Montana and Washington respectively.

The 5,062,400 acres within the RC&D area includes five counties and 36 incorporated cities with a combined population of approximately 160,000 people.  The counties include:  Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone.