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

Summer Water Shortages Predicted

BOISE, ID—Water shortages will be the most severe in central, southern and eastern Idaho this summer, according to the Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report issued recently by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

“Water users should be prepared for possibly the lowest supplies yet of this five-year drought cycle,” says Ron Abramovich, NRCS water supply specialist. 

Streams are forecast at or near record lows in the Lemhi, lower Big Wood, Big Lost, Little Lost and Bear basins. The Snake River near Heise is forecast at 46 percent of average—the record low is 36 percent from 2001.

The Bear River basin has held the lowest streamflow forecast but now Camas Creek and the Magic Reservoir inflow are also at five percent of average for the June-July period. The Big Lost, Little Lost and Lemhi rivers are also forecast near record low at 20 percent of average.

Elsewhere, shortages will be moderate in the Boise basin, and water supplies will be adequate in the Owyhee and Payette basins. The highest streamflow forecasts are 60-90 percent of average for the Dworshak Reservoir inflow and Coeur d’Alene River.

Most streams have experienced dual snowmelt peaks, one in early May and another in early June. River runners will see headwaters streams return to baseflow levels earlier than normal and remain below normal for the rest of the summer. However, Cascade Reservoir is full while Anderson Ranch Reservoir is 89 percent full—both will provide good flows for boating this summer. Most southern and central Idaho reservoirs will be at their minimum storage levels by the end of summer.

For the complete Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report, including forecasts by basin, visit www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

< Back to News Releases