The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho has released the January Water Supply Outlook Report, the first for the 2024 Water Year.
BOISE, ID, January 8, 2024 – The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Idaho has released the January Water Supply Outlook Report, the first for the 2024 Water Year.
Winter finally arrived in January, with storms bringing much needed moisture across Idaho. With freezing levels remaining low, most areas should see their snowpack grow. Above normal precipitation is forecasted for the Panhandle, Clearwater, West Central, Southern Snake, and upper Snake basins over the next ten days. The Salmon, Wood, and Lost basins are forecasted to also receive precipitation but only ~50% of what they normally receive during this period.
Streamflow, snowpack, and precipitation data for each basin can be accessed on the NRCS Idaho Snow Survey web page.
“Idaho is in a snow drought with record low or near record low snow water equivalent or ‘SWE’ observed at many SNOTEL stations,” said Erin Whorton, Water Supply Specialist for NRCS Idaho. “Snowpack conditions are well below normal in all basins north of the Snake River Plain and range from 42 to 60% of normal as of January 1. Apart from the Bruneau Basin, snowpack south of the Snake River Plain is faring much better than the rest of the state. The snowpack in Southern Snake River basins is near to above normal. Southeast Idaho varies as well; Bear River Basin snowpack is 84%, while slightly to the north, the Willow-Blackfoot-Portneuf Basin is 80% of normal. Thankfully, there’s almost three months left for the snowpack to recover, so keep your fingers crossed for the flurries to fly.”
January 1 streamflow forecasts reflect the current mountain snowpack and total water year precipitation conditions. In January, NRCS only publishes streamflow forecasts at locations where model confidence is high. For the April through July forecast period, below normal streamflow is predicted in the upper Snake River, Henrys Fork-Teton, Panhandle and Bear River basins. Reflecting the snowpack conditions, near normal streamflow is expected in the Southern Snake basins at this time.
For information on specific basins, streams, and reservoirs, please view the full report online at January Water Supply Outlook Report.
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