Water supply outlook off to good start

Idaho’s first water supply outlook report for 2017 indicates the state’s water year is off to a good start.

Since October, precipitation has ranged from 200 percent of average in the Bear River to 350 percent in the northern Panhandle region.

“January 15th marks winter’s half way point for the winter’s snowfall in our mountains,” said Ron Abramovich, Water Supply Specialist with the NRCS state office in Boise. “The recent warmer temperatures and rain allowed the mountain snowpack to settle for the first time this season.”

According to the report, the Upper Snake Basin and Owyhee river basins have the highest snowpacks in the state at 130 to 140 percent of median.

NRCS reports that, based on Idaho’s Surface Water Supply Index, water supplies around the state look promising. The index combines reservoir storage and streamflow forecasts, and water supplies.

Abromovich said the state is officially half way through the winter season.

“As we start the second half of winter this month, we’re going to be keeping a close eye on snow totals, the freezing line and storm intensity,” Abramovich said. “The intensity and the type of precipitation (rain versus snow) may make the next three months of this water year as interesting as the first three.”

You can view the full report here.