Not a drop to spare
March snowfall third lowest since 1964

The latest report predicting water levels for streams and reservoirs in Idaho reflects what everybody already knows: March was a dry month.

"Spring came a month early, basically," said Ron Abramovich of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which publishes the report.

Snowfall for the month was the third lowest on the Upper Snake River basin since measurements began in 1964. March also had record high temperatures, and the combination caused snowpack levels to reach their peak March 10 instead of April 1, as they usually do. Snowpack levels, which had been at about 90 percent of average on the Snake River, fell to about 75 percent.

"In some areas, that's the most we've seen it decrease in one month - in the wrong direction," said Philip Morrisey, hydrologist for the service.

Adding to the disappointment, the snow melted just slowly enough for much of it to be absorbed into the ground instead of running off into streams and reservoirs.

All of those factors have altered their predictions for stream flows, Abramovich said, which are now predicted to be worse than last year. Stream flow predictions for the Snake River above Palisades Dam fell from 93 percent to 77 percent of average in a matter of weeks.

Rivers also will peak earlier than usual.

Reservoirs were already starting off low, with most in the Upper Snake River system at about 10 percent of capacity. Anything that flows into them will likely be used, leaving nothing to carry over for next year.

The Idaho Water Resource Board has determined it will make about 3 percent of reservoir storage water available to be rented and left in-stream to benefit fish if those who hold water rights are willing to rent the water, said L. Claude Storer, an Idaho Falls resident who serves on the board.

Irrigators will have to ensure they have enough water for their crops, he said. They may choose to plant more grain, which requires less water than potatoes and silage, which need water later in the year.

The National Weather Service has forecast neutral conditions from April through June, which means there are equal chances it will be above or below normal or normal for temperature and precipitation.

"If we could just get a good rain or two, it'd change the picture a whole lot," Storer said.