Water outlook is great for farming irrigation, but it could be too much

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - We are in a good spot with average to slightly above average snowpack with above average water storage currently in the reservoirs across most of central and eastern Idaho. Water experts tell us this means there should be plenty of water for this year's irrigation supply, but it may cause a delay in the season due to the increase in flood potential.

Now is about the time where we start to see the peak amount of snowpack across our mountains before the snow starts to melt. This is critical for water managers to measure how much water we should be expecting across the state. The snowpack totals vary across our region. In central Idaho, with the exception of the Salmon having a snowpack that is a little below their typical average, most of the basins such as the Little Lost and Big Lost basins are having a good winter and are seeing about the same amount of snowpack they usually have. The Upper Snake River Basin also holds around average snowpack for this time of year. Meanwhile, the Blackfoot Basin and most of the basins in southeast Idaho and the southern highlands hold above average snowpack that is up to 140% of average. These are the areas to watch out for in particular when it comes to flood risk.

The reservoir system is usually at its lowest point around this time of year, but many reservoirs are currently have much more carryover water than usual. In fact, Henry's Lake, Island Park and the Palisades have already above 90% of their full capacity. The American Falls Reservoir is at 97% of its full capacity.

As much as this is fantastic to have for the irrigation for this upcoming farming season, it could be too much and could flood out some areas. Experts say it is dependent on how our temperatures will melt the snowpack. If we have a stretch of hot days coming in spring, it could trigger a rapid runoff of snowfall that the reservoir system is unable to control.