5-10 IAT Spring Water

 Ron Abramovich, Water Supply Specialist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.  “After  going up to Mores Creek Summit, we were in a warm spell and the snow is melting, and it froze solid that night and we could walk on top of snow without snowshoes, it was only about 16 inches deep where normally it is more than twice that, and there is 8 inches of water where normally it would be 24 inches up there on May 1. So it is only about one third of normal, overall the Boise basin is in a little better shape, closer to 60 to 70% of average for May 1. Can you give me an overall on the state of Idaho?Idaho is very different and unique this year where northern Idaho, the pack is still near normal, near the Canadian border, and decreases down near the Owyhee basin where it is basically all melted off. We are looking at stream flows in Owyhee nearing the 1977 levels for the recession flows which are minimal. Across central Idaho, users are going to be in a tight situation and hopefully get through the water year in the Boise basin, in terms of water supply, water supplies will be short. Shortages will occur in the Big Lost Basin. The Big Lost and the Little Lost will hopefully make it because of the good base flows and the Upper Snake water users are going to have a tough season too and hopefully they will squeeze through this year. It depends on the rest of the spring precipitation.