Nearly halfway through winter, Idaho’s farmers and ranchers will soon make plans for their planting season. The latest snow survey by the Natural Resources Conservation Service could give them reasons to be optimistic. Hydrologist Ron Abramovich says that after one of the driest years on record, Idaho’s snowpack is off to a great start.
“Well what happened in October and November was the gates finally opened up.”
Abramovich says this early winter precipitation reversed some effects of the summer’s drought, replenishing the soil with much-needed moisture. Snowpack in the central mountains and in Northern Idaho has already exceeded averages. Areas near Bonner’s Ferry have been especially lucky. Bonner’s Ferry has received 40 inches of precipitation since Oct. 1.
This could be good news for Idaho agriculture, as long as the snow keeps falling and temperatures remain below freezing. Abramovich says reservoir depth is also important.
“Overall the reservoirs are in pretty good shape across Idaho," he says. "They range from 80-115 percent of average, with the exception of a few in central and southern Idaho that are at 30 and 65 percent of average.”
Magic Reservoir in Blaine County, Oakley Reservoir in Cassia County and Salmon Falls Reservoir in Twin Falls County continue to struggle with water supply.
But Abramovich says a lot can change between now and planting season. Climate changes over the last decade has made predictions extremely difficult.
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