Water outlook is in great condition heading into winter

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Hydrologists are excited about the current water levels across our local reservoirs heading into this winter. They should provide farmers with enough water for the rest of this farming season.

This the best the water outlook has looked since 2020. Last year, for example, many restrictions and curtailments needed to be made for everyone to get enough water. Many small canals ran dry and the American Falls Reservoir was down to 4% of its full level. Overall, the reservoir systems at this time last year were only at 19%.

This year, the reservoirs levels have just reached below half capacity at 49%. That's a 30% increase from what was seen last year. Some of the most impressive totals lie in Jackson Lake and the Palisades. This time last year, they were at around 20-25%, but this year, they are between 60-75% of their full capacities.

Everyone is out of drought. Many hydrologists even point out we could stay out of drought with a normal to slightly below normal snowpack. Flooding begins to be more of an issue than this previous spring if we have above average snowpack.