5-11 FB April Showers

 Late-April’s cool, moist weather held off the snow melt and even added to the mountain snowpack according to the latest snow survey conducted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the end of April. The spring precipitation boosted the water supply outlook but did not solve the moisture deficit problem which has plagued Idaho all winter. 

 “If the cool and wet conditions had not occurred in April, snowpacks across the board would have melted out much earlier,” said Ron Abramovich, Water Supply specialist for NRCS.  “Rivers would have peaked too soon.”

Here’s Julie Koeberle, an NRCS hydrologist: “Got cool and wet in late April, up until now, it boosted the snowpack but it also delayed it from melting.”

 “Most of Idaho’s irrigators should be able to make it through this season. Some surface water shortages are likely in central and southern Idaho basins including the Big Wood, Big Lost, Little Lost, Oakley and Salmon Falls and for users that rely on natural streamflow levels,” Abramovich added.

 April precipitation was above average across nearly the whole state. Monthly precipitation ranged from 94% of average in the Big Lost basin to 140% at the Upper Snake River headwaters and the Bear River drainage.

 April streamflow volumes varied across the state from near average runoff volumes to only half of average. The streamflow forecast for the May-July period remains low with volumes ranging from 45-75% of average.

Timely rains over the next two months would improve this year’s water supply. “Additional precipitation and cool temperatures this spring can make working the fields difficult but will help stretch the limited water supplies,” Abramovich said.