The Twin Springs water monitoring station on the Middle Fork of the Boise River (USGS Photo)
You might notice that the Boise River through town remains low, a sign that dam managers are more worried about filling reservoirs than flooding.
The dry conditions are not limited to the Boise Basin according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
“The snowpack is lagging from below normal precipitation in January and February,” said Ron Abramovich, Idaho NRCS Water Supply Specialist. “If March is dry that will affect streamflow forecasts,”
Right now the agency is predicting flows of 70 to 90 percent of average. That will affect irrigation, hydropower production and whitewater sports like rafting and kayaking.
“We’ve learned from the past that when we get two dry winter months in a row, negative impacts on the water supply start to occur,” Abramovich said. “Abundant March precipitation would help but short of that, preserving the snow that already exists is the best we can hope for.”
The snowpack is average in the high elevations and would be adequate. But the snow at lower elevations will melt out quickly as the spring warms up.
“Knowing what elevation your water supply comes from will help you prepare for this season’s water supply,” Abramovich said. “Lower elevations will melt out sooner and runoff will be low translating to a decreased water supply.”
So if you like to float the Bruneau or the Owyhee rivers you had better get there sooner.
Remember NRCS’s predictions this year are based on the last 30 years, which have been dryer than the 30 previous years. That means flows of 70 to 90 percent are more like flows of 60 to 80 percent based on forecasts of the last few decades, a new normal, officials call it.
Citizens can monitor Boise River and other Idaho streamflows provided by the U.S. Geological Survey by visiting http://id.water.usgs.gov/. The USGS also provides two services that let citizens receive information about river conditions. Please visit http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert/ and http://water.usgs.gov/waternow/ for details.
On the way to Nampa today I noted snow is still on the nearby hills but this IS ridiculous.
I wonder who let FO in Idaho??? Me thinks those measuring the snow pack know just a tad more then you. Maybe you should put some snow tires on your bike and run up to the Owyhee’s and check for yourself.