NEWS

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite B
Boise, Idaho 83709

For more information:
Ron Abramovich (208) 378-5741 or (208) 871-1247
http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/

Idaho Experiencing Highest Streamflows Since 1999

May 5, 2006, BOISE, ID—Farmers and ranchers, hydropower companies and the tourism industry can breathe a sigh of relief this year. Much of Idaho is experiencing the most positive water year since 1999.

While the above average streamflows are causing flooding in some areas, water users such as farmers, irrigators, river runners and hydropower producers, will have plenty of water to meet their needs this year.  

“This is a change from the last seven years where water users weren’t necessarily receiving all of their allocation,” says Ron Abramovich, water supply specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “We could easily be there again next year, depending on precipitation and snowpack.”

Abundant moisture in April brought streams to a rise and more snow to melt this year. Rain combined with low elevation snowmelt produced rapid increases in streamflow and flooding in some basins. High elevation snowpacks are just starting to melt and the record high amounts at Galena Summit (Big Wood Basin), Fishpole Lake (Big Lost Basin) and Howell Canyon (Raft Basin) are going to take 45 to 60 days to melt. The Trinity Mountain SNOTEL site (South Fork Boise Basin) is not expected to melt out until mid-July.  

All this means big water for 2006. The highest streamflow forecasts are at 170 percent of average for Salmon Falls Creek and Oakley Reservoir inflow. The Big Wood, Little Wood and Big Lost rivers are forecast at 150-165 percent of average while the Salmon, Weiser, Payette and Boise rivers are forecast at 125-140 percent. The only areas with below average forecasts are in the Spokane Basin.

Additional releases are being made from most of Idaho’s reservoirs to provide room for the high runoff. For example, American Falls Reservoir is nearly full at 96 percent of capacity, 108 percent of average, and releasing water, causing Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls to flow at 17,000 cfs.

The good conditions offer a variety of choices for recreation. Some resort skiers and backcountry skiers will get to enjoy an extra month or more of skiing. Meanwhile river runners can expect a prolonged season—beginning with early desert canyon streams, then mid-season high water runs, prolonged above average flows through late summer on the main Salmon, and then early fall in the Payette and South Fork Snake rivers.

The NRCS Snow Survey Program publishes the Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report.  For the full report, including conditions for specific basins, and daily updates, visit www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/watersupply.

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