© 2024 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Apple's latest iOS (17.4) is preventing our livestreams from playing. We suggest you download the free Boise State Public Radio app & stream us there while we work to troubleshoot the issue.

Boise River Flow Increases Sixfold, Water Managers To Maintain Current Level

water, boise river
Scott Graf
/
Boise State Public Radio

Those managing water flow in the Boise River Basin say they plan to keep the river at its current level for the foreseeable future.

The river is been flowing at roughly 1,800 cubic feet per second at the Glenwood Street bridge in Boise.  The flow last week was around 300 cfs and then increased steadily over the weekend.

Snake River Area Office Water Operations Manager Brian Sauer says the outflow at Lucky Peak reached 1,800 cfs for the first time this season at 8 a.m. Monday.  Flood level is 7,000 cfs.

The increased flow has made for a noticeable change in the river. Logs and other debris flushed out by the higher water levels were obvious throughout the day Monday.

“That is all that is planned for now, but we [Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers] will be monitoring inflow forecasts throughout the spring and making adjustments as needed,” Sauer said in an email. “Irrigation canals will soon begin to divert water from the river, so more water will be released from Lucky Peak, but little change in the river flows through [Boise].”

Credit Scott Graf / Boise State Public Radio
/
Boise State Public Radio
Flood stage in the Boise River is about 7000 cfs. Current flow is well below that, which means some sections - like this one in Eagle - remain dry.

On Monday, the outflow from Arrowrock Reservoir to Lucky Peak was about 2,000 cfs. 

As of Tuesday morning, the Bureau of Reclamation says Lucky Peak was at 75 percent of capacity. Arrowrock is 87 percent full and Anderson Ranch is 35 percent full. 

Copyright 2014 Boise State Public Radio

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.