Snowpacks in Idaho looking much better

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — After a dry January where there was a lack of snowfall across Idaho, including in the Magic Valley, things are looking up in February, according to Idaho Department of Water Resources officials.

“If you are looking to the North, the Big Wood and the Little Wood are right around 120, 110% of normal,” David Hoekema, a hydrologist said.

Hoekema said the northern part of the state still needs some more precipitation. He added the department is expecting to do some flood control operations for the snake river, when it gets warmer due to the snowpack levels.

“We always hope for a little bit of a flood control operation because we can take advantage of that to recharge the aquafer. Especially in the upper valley above American Falls,” Hoekema said.

Hoekema said his department expects multiple snowpacks across Idaho to continue to build the rest of the winter, providing adequate water supplies. However, IDWR is keeping an eye on the weather, because they don’t want a snowpack runoff to happen too early.

“Real warm event at the beginning of March can snowpack running early. And then you end up having to do a flood control operation and you have more difficulty filling the reservoir system,” Hoekema said.

More precipitation would also be helpful to soften the ground for farming when planting season rolls around.

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