Water supply outlook is optimistic
Based on February 1 streamflow forecasts, spring and summer projected runoff this year ranges from a low of 50% of average in the Big Wood Basin to 95% in the Clearwater Basin.
Long term forecasts indicate the current wet pattern may continue into mid-February. Water users hope that is true since long-term forecasts predict warmer and drier conditions in March and April. The trend in recent years has seen earlier snowmelt and runoff.
The latest projections from the Natural Resource Conservation Service indicate the Little Wood Basin received 121% of average precipitation for January. Precipitation was 70 to 90% of average in the Henry’s Fork, Upper Snake, and Salmon Falls areas.
Most Idaho reservoir systems report near average or higher storage levels at the end of January. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation projects American Falls Reservoir could fill in late February or early March and remain full until early June. Jackson Lake and Palisades Reservoir are likely to fill, but the timing depends on when future precipitation and snowmelt occurs.
