Water levels remain above average close to September

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Water levels across east Idaho remain above average heading into late August. Most rivers and reservoirs are not at full capacity but are running between half and full capacity.

American Falls Reservoir is the only reservoir system that is below half capacity. It is currently at 32%. On the other hand, Henry's Lake has the greatest capacity covered at 96%.

The vast majority of east Idaho has remained out of drought. There are a select few areas in the Magic Valley and by Island Park that are abnormally dry, but they are still out of drought.

The higher water levels are due to consistent rain showers. August in particular has brought much more rainfall than average. East Idaho in general usually gets around a half inch of rain, which about the amount of rain that we had in a single day last Sunday. Instead, with a week of August still left to go, most local towns have double their monthly August rainfall with around an inch. A few even have two or three inches.

In order to stay out of drought, hydrologists actually say that it can be sustained with a slightly below average snowpack. Average precipitation predicted into the month of October.