It’s only July 22, but Lucky Peak Reservoir is already seeing the effects of a dry and hot season.
The Bureau of Reclamation has started dropping water levels in the reservoir, and is diverting the water for irrigation. Farmers in the Boise River watershed usually get water from the system around Labor Day. But with supplies at about 50 percent of normal, this year the diversion is happening five weeks earlier.
So what does this mean for recreation at Lucky Peak the rest of this summer?
Gina Baltrusch is with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. She says boaters should be careful, because the water will be dropping around a foot each day this week.
“That means that the boat ramps are going to become a bit more exposed and as the days continue some of the ramps are going to be coming out of the water – they will no longer be useable,” Baltrusch.
Baltrusch says there could be lines at the remaining boat ramps later in the summer, especially during weekends. There will still be plenty of water for swimming and boating, but adds this caution: rocks and potential debris will be closer to the surface, and could be dangerous.
“Those underwater hazards can be really critical to look out for," she says. "I know people like to jump off of boats into the water. But slide in first and check out what’s underneath before you start diving in.”
This is the first time since 2007 that flows to Lucky Peak have been diverted this early. Brian Sauer manages water operations for the Bureau of Reclamation. He says the hydroelectric plant will also be affected. With less water flowing through the system, that means there’s less power that will be generated.
Still, Sauer says the drought doesn’t pose any major water supply issues in the Boise watershed this year. But if the drought continues next year? Well, he doesn’t really like thinking about that.
“Right now, we’re just hoping that we have at least a normal snowpack next year,” Sauer says.
Copyright 2013 Boise State Public Radio
