Water experts optimistic to control water levels from flooding

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - The irrigation season for farmers is well underway, and many are finding it easier to have a steady water supply so far. Even though the water runoff so far has been a little less than average, we have plenty of water storage.

All of the water storage is kept in the water reservoirs. Most of the reservoirs are either completely full or are close to that mark. This includes Lake Walcott, American Falls Reservoir, Ririe Reservoir, Island Park Reservoir, Henry's Lake and Grassy Lake. The only reservoirs that aren't completely stuffed yet are the Palisades and Jackson Lake, but even then both of those hold more than three quarters of their full capacity. More runoff is expected with recent snow showers across our local mountains. Many water experts though ensure us that they should be able to control it with the space left.

The National Weather Service is optimistic that the flooding risk is slowing down. They canceled the Flood Warnings in effect for the Portneuf River on Wednesday after being in effect for the past two months. There was some minor flooding along that river especially in the canals leading up to the Portneuf in Caribou County in April, but that has subsided.

While there is no concern for the short-term future, water experts do advise us of the possibility of drought later this year The Climate Prediction Center is predicting eastern Idaho to have a warmer and drier summer than average. This could cause us to dig into the storage levels a little more than expected.