Idaho experts predict water shortages in southern Idaho
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — More than half of Idaho is in a severe drought, and an Idaho water expert says that's likely to worsen in the coming months.
Idaho Department of Water Resources hydrologist David Hoekema told the Idaho Water Resource Board at a meeting last week that water shortages are expected in every basin in southern Idaho.
“The future is not bright,” Hoekema said. “Fifty percent of the state is currently in severe drought, and
that percentage will increase in the coming months. We are predicting water shortages in every basin in
Southern Idaho, including the Payette.”
Hoekema says a wet fall and record-breaking snowfall in December has been followed by three months of little precipitation and a declining snowpack.
Based on the Northwest River Forecast Center streamflow runoff predictions, Hoekema reported the
following:
- Boise River Basin – 775,000 acre-feet, 60 percent of average; similar to last year
- Payette River Basin - 1,007,000 acre-feet, 63 percent of average
- Big Wood River Basin – 70,200-acre-feet, 30 percent of average
- Little Wood River Basin – 29,400 acre-feet, 37 percent of average
- Big Lost River Basin – 81,000 acre-feet, 37 percent of average, but double runoff predicted last year
- Henrys Fork - 843,000 acre-feet, 49 percent of average
- Snake River Basin – 2.4 million acre-feet, about 62 percent of average
- Bear Lake/Bear River at Stewart Dam – 55,000 acre-feet, 34 percent of average
- Salmon Falls - 22,200 acre-feet, 32 percent of average
- Owyhee River Basin – 169,000 acre-feet, 48 percent of average
Streamflow forecasts range from 20% to 70% below average.
The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map shows the bottom two-thirds of the state in a drought.
