BOISE, Idaho — Despite the recent snowstorms in Idaho, the snowpack throughout much of the Gem State has a long way to go to get to average levels.
Due in-part to a dry November and December, snowpack levels in many Idaho mountains are lagging behind what's normal. There is a clear split in the Gem State, with more severe drought conditions in the north.
"What we're seeing is kind of a major divide between south of the Snake River, and those basins that come in - with Owyhee at 141% of average, Bruneau, Salmon Falls - they're all looking pretty good for right now," hydrologist Ron Abramovich said. "But once you get north of the Snake River into the central mountains in northern Idaho, the snowpack really isn't there."
Most of northern Idaho currently has less than 70% of its average snowpack - which is crucial for the state's water, including irrigation and recreation come the summertime.
"Our snowpack is so important because 75% of our moisture, if not a little more, falls in the wintertime," Abramovich said. "We get very little moisture during the summer to grow our crops, so that's why irrigation is so critical to Idaho. Our winter snowfall really makes or breaks the season, so that's why so many people are watching it for irrigating, for river running, for filling the reservoirs, or releasing water for hydropower when you have to as well."
There is some good news: soil moisture is higher than normal, and reservoir storage is generally above average across the state - with reservoirs in the Upper Snake much higher than last year, and the Boise reservoir system likely to fill.
"There's a good carryover from last year," Abramovich said.
Snowpack levels typically reach their peak around April 1.
With the state just now past the halfway point of the meteorological winter, hydrologists can only wait for Mother Nature to see how the rest of the snow season shakes out.
"There's a chance to recover," Abramovich said. "So I'm optimistic and hoping we get more storms coming in."
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