Idaho Water Supply should be adequate for 2016

El Nino conditions have resulted in improved snowpacks across Idaho this winter. While the lowest snowfall in the state has been in the upper Snake and Bear River basins, snowpack is just below normal levels.

Mid-January usually marks the half-way point of winter snowfall in Idaho.

The National Resource and Conservation Service water supply outlook reports that fall precipitation varied across the state, but December precipitation was excellent, ranging from one to two times normal across the state.

Central Idaho’s snowpack from the Little Wood Basin to Mud Lake is 110 to 125 percent of median. The lowest snowpacks in the state are in the Henry’s Fork, Upper Snake and Bear River watersheds, but are 90 to 99 percent of median.

Current reservoir storage is primarily dependent on carryover storage from last year. According to the NRCS, Jackson Lake and Palisades Reservoir have a combined storage of 56 percent of capacity, which is just below normal for December 31.

Projected stream flow and reservoir storage for the upper Snake River basin should be adequate to satisfy water demands for the upcoming year.

Bear Lake is 35 percent full and should provide adequate irrigation supply for the coming growing season.

This is the first time in several years that most rivers in Idaho are forecast at or above average. The Upper Snake headwater streams in western Wyoming are forecast at 85 to 100 percent during the April to July period. The highest forecasts are across southern Idaho at 130 to 160 percent of average. Salmon River basin forecasts vary from near average on the Lemhi River to 123 percent for the Main Fork of the Salmon.

As a result, the agency is projecting a promising summer recreational season.