Snow survey paints good picture for summer

Reservoir operators are keeping a close eye on weather developments to determine if and when flood control releases are needed.

As of this week, Jackson Lake is 78 percent full and will fill in early June. Palisades Reservoir is 95 percent full and will fill by mid-to-late June. American Falls Reservoir is at 87 percent full and expected to fill in early April, then remain near full depending upon irrigation demand.

Elsewhere in the region, Little Wood Reservoir is 94 percent full, 162 percent of average and began releasing water in late February. Mackay Reservoir is 84 percent full, 128 percent of average and still providing enough water for the river to flow past Arco.

The NRCS Snow Survey predicts a good summer for recreation.

With Jackson Lake, Palisades, and American Falls reservoirs nearly full, there should be plenty of Wyoming snowmelt water from the upper basin to pass all the way down through Hells Canyon and the Columbia River. Better-than-normal flows are also expected in the Salmon basin. Northern Idaho rivers are also benefiiting from the winter’s La Nina storm track.