Boise River levels will be on the rise again next week. Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation hope that by increasing it from 8,900 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 9,500 now, they can reduce the risk of more severe flooding later this spring.
Officials say the increase is needed because of remaining snowpack in the mountains and a forecast for more rain and snow falling onto that snowpack. At the 9,500 cfs level additional parts of the Boise Greenbelt will be underwater and erosion of riverbanks will continue to be a problem. (Here's a breakdown of river flood stages.)
Flooding will continue to occur in parts of Eagle Island, Garden City, Star and Caldwell. While the water may affect some residential property near the river it should stay below the level of most homes. However the river will go over its banks between 45th and 47th streets in Garden City and floating debris could be a problem if large items get hung up on bridges.
Lucky Peak Reservoir will also be affected as it is forecast to rise rapidly over the next week. Currently the reservoir behind Anderson Ranch Dam is 96 percent full, Arrowrock Dam is 79 percent full and Lucky Peak reservoir is nearly 60 percent full.
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