March 2019 Water Supply Outlook Report released

The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Idaho has released the March Water Supply Outlook Report for the 2019 water year.

February 2019 shaped up as one for the record books. More snow fell and accumulated in February in Idaho’s central mountains than had fallen in the previous three months. Colder than normal temperatures brought light dry snow that produced impressive snow depth but not as much snow water equivalent (SWE) as one might imagine.

“In terms of precipitation, the Little Wood Basin was the big winner with more than four times the normal February amounts,” said Ron Abramovich, Water Supply Specialist with the Idaho Natural Resources Conservation Service. “This pattern now fits in with a typical El Nino weather pattern that finds Idaho drier in the north and wetter in the south. You can see that reflected in northern Idaho, which received only near normal February precipitation.

Many of Idaho’s reservoir operators are on standby to determine when additional releases will be needed to account for February’s abundant snowfall. Irrigation shortages are not expected, and water supplies will be adequate to meet the numerous needs across the state.

“Streamflow forecasts mirrored the weather and shot up like a good month on the stock market,” Abramovich said. “Above to well-above normal volumes are expected for all basins south of the Clearwater Basin, and normal runoff amounts are predicted for northern Idaho.”

For information on specific basins, streams, and reservoirs, please view the full report HERE.