3-15 FB ADEQUATE WATER

ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY FORECAST EVEN WITH FEBRUARY’S VARIABLE PRECIPITATION

 Idaho’s mountain snowpack will still provide an adequate water supply this season despite weather patterns that pushed winter precipitation to other parts of the country according to hydrologists with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

 NRCS measures the mountain snowpack monthly January through June to provide snow runoff predictions and water supply forecasts used in managing Idaho’s water resources. February’s snow survey shows the mountain snowpack ranges from 80% to 125% of average. Here’s NRCS spokesman Jeff Anderson with some unexpected good news: “Another place where there is some good news is in the bear River which is in the south east corner of  the state we’ve had really low snowpack is therefore quite a number of years in a row and this year they are the highest percent of normal as anywhere in the state at 127%.

According to the water supply report just released for March, overall Idaho’s water supplies should be adequate for most users, but could be tight in the Big Lost, Little Lost and Oakley basins. Spring precipitation would help ensure an adequate water supply for the state.

 “Reservoir storage is in good shape with many reservoirs reporting average or better amounts for the end of February,” said Abramovich. “The ones we’re watching are Owyhee, Salmon Falls, and Oakley reservoirs and Bear Lake which are 60-85% of average.”

 “The most important streamflow forecast for many of Idaho’s Snake River Plain water users is the Snake River near Heise which is east of Idaho Falls. The forecast for this point is 110% of average streamflow from April through July” Abramovich said.