NEWS

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
For More Information:

Ron Abramovich, 208/378-5741
Phil Morrisey, 208/685-6983
Jeff Anderson, 208/378-5740
Dastina Johnson, 208/685-6978

Winter too Short, Summer too Early

BOISE, ID, June 5, 2007— Below normal snow in January and lack of spring precipitation has caused Idaho's summer water supply outlook to weaken again this month. The Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report, released today by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), shows streamflow forecasts at well below average.  The result--water users will have to depend on reservoir storage to get them through the summer.

"Simply put, winter was too short and summer arrived a month early," said NRCS Water Supply Specialist Ron Abramovich. "After missing critical precipitation in January we were playing catch-up all winter. Water users were pulling for a wet spring, like in 2005, but that never materialized."  

As of June 1, only 16 of the 126 snow measuring sites in or adjacent to Idaho were measuring snow--the remaining sites were snow-free.  Last June, 47 sites had snow and normally 81 sites have snow. At several central Idaho SNOTEL sites, monthly precipitation data recorded for the March-May period was the lowest since 1982.  May precipitation was disappointing with the majority of Idaho's mountains receiving only 30-55 percent of average.  The Clearwater and Salmon basins were the only exceptions with 70 percent of average precipitation for the month.

Streams across the state peaked about a month earlier than normal.  Peak streamflows driven by melting snow were low this year and are now approaching their typical mid-summer levels. Streamflow forecasts for the June-September period call for 10-45 percent of average from the Clearwater Basin south across the rest of Idaho. The Panhandle region's forecasts are at 45-75 percent of average and only the Kootenai River is forecast for average runoff.

Fortunately many Idahoans can rely on good reservoir carryover storage to get them through the summer. Many reservoirs are at 95-100 percent of capacity. Other reservoirs such as Bear Lake, Blackfoot, Ririe, Salmon Falls, Oakley and Owyhee are currently at 45-80 percent of capacity. Expect reservoir drafting to start earlier than normal as irrigation demands exceed inflows.  Most reservoirs will be at their minimal storage levels by summer's end making Idaho dependent on ample snowfall next year.

Water shortages are expected in the Boise, Big Wood, Upper Snake and Bear River basins; the severity depends on water right and water source. Most severe surface irrigation shortages are expected in the Big Lost and Little Lost basins and other basins without storage facilities.

For the complete Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report, visit www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow and click on ‘Water Supply’ link.   Please contact Ron Abramovich, 208/378-5741, for additional information.

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