Idaho’s snowpack peaked nearly three weeks early on March 17 and was one of the lowest on record since NRCS began snowpack measurements in the 1930s," said Erin Whorton, Water Supply Specialist for NRCS Idaho. “Every Idahoan will feel the impacts of this low snow year. With the snowpack rapidly melting at even the highest elevations, streamflow will likely peak earlier and at much lower levels than normal. Changes in timing and amount of runoff pose significant water supply challenges for agricultural producers, the outdoor recreation, and energy sectors.  With very little snow left in the mountains to sustain streamflow into the dry summer months, our rivers could reach record low flow conditions.”  

Given the historically low snowpack conditions, NRCS encourages water users to consider the ‘drier scenario’,  90% and 70% exceedance streamflow forecasts this year in addition to the mid-range forecast to reduce their risk. 

Whorton added, “the Western U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented snow drought and with the rapid melt off, the opportunity for wildfires to start is longer. Even if the fire season isn’t bad in Idaho, it’s likely we’ll see impacts from smoke from neighboring states.”