10/02/08 Water year was near normal

The Idaho water year that ended on September 30th was close to normal precipitation says Ron Abromovich of the NRCS Snow Survey. ABROMOVICH "The highest was the Clearwater basin at 112 percent of average for the water year precip and the lowest was the Little Lost and Big Lost basin at 80 percent of average along with the Little Wood basin." There are some concerns especially in parts of central Idaho. ABROMOVICH "Dry spring and summer from February to September basically it didn't rain very much in the Big and Little Lost Basins. We had record low precipitation." For the most part there was adequate water for irrigation and recreation the past twelve months. Today Abromovich says Jackson, Cascade and the Boise system have better water storage carryover than at this time last year. ABROMOVICH "Palisades and Jackson has quite a big more this year than a year ago. Magic, Little Wood and Mackey are about the same or less than last year but the low part is Oakley and Salmon Falls. They have less than last year as well too." He says those areas will need good autumn rains to replenish the soil in advance of the snow. Forecasters call for a neutral winter ahead, no El Nino or La Nina is expected. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott