Latest water update
Notes from Idaho Water Supply commmittee meeting
High points:
Spring precipitation will be a big factor this year for stream runoff … it usually amounts to 25% of the runoff …
Record low snowpack below 7,000 feet in most basins in Idaho
Normally we have 85% of our snow by mid-March … now we have 64% … doesn’t look like we can catch up …
Current atmospheric river event happening in the Idaho Panhandle, especially the Clearwater Basin … flood releases from Dworshak will begin this weekend at 10,000 cfs
Lack of mid- and low-elevation snow will affect the total amount of runoff this year statewide …
Boise and Payette reservoir systems are expected to fill … Boise system may or may not fill completed, depending on how things shake out with spring precipitation and flood control releases.
Modest flood control flows are expected to begin from Lucky Peak on March 26 by the Army Corps of Engineers … flood releases will be 1,500 to 3,000 cfs, depending on weather and inflows.
Upper Snake runoff forecasts are ranging from 70-90% of normal … depending on if it’s a dry spring or a wet spring.
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