IDAHO’S WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK IS OFF TO A STRONG START

BOISE, ID, JANUARY 10, 2017 – The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) just released the first water supply outlook report for the 2017 water year. The season got off to a wet start with October precipitation ranging from 200% of average in the Bear River and up to 350% in Idaho’s Northern Panhandle Region. Many SNOTEL stations received record high October precipitation which was followed by a dry November. “January 15th marks winter’s half way point for the winter’s snowfall in our mountains,” said Ron Abramovich, Water Supply Specialist with the NRCS state office in Boise. “The recent warmer temperatures and rain allowed the mountain snowpack to settle for the first time this season.” The highest snowpacks are in the state’s Owyhee and Upper Snake River basins at 130 to 140% of median. The lowest snowpacks are between 65 and 80% of average in the Panhandle Region. Based on Idaho’s Surface Water Supply Index, which combines reservoir storage and streamflow forecasts, water supplies around the state look promising.  Idaho’s reservoirs and lakes are in good shape to catch any early season melt. “As we start the second half of winter this month, we’re going to be keeping a close eye on snow totals, the freezing line and storm intensity,” Abramovich said. “The intensity and the type of precipitation (rain versus snow) may make the next three months of this water year as interesting as the first three.” NRCS Snow Survey staff will present the report at the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) meeting at 2 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the IDWR state office in Boise. For information on specific basins, streams, and reservoirs, please view the full report online at January Water Supply Outlook Report.