Those early March snowstorms did a lot to keep Idaho mountains blanketed, helping to make up the difference for low snow levels earlier this year. According to Ron Abramovich with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Idaho farmers are in good shape.
“So even with a below-normal snowpack," says Abramovich, "we’re going to see adequate irrigation supplies across the state of Idaho this year.”
That’s because last year’s historic snowfall created enough storage in reservoirs to keep Idaho fields well-watered.
Abramovich says that streams in the central and northern part of the state are flowing at above average rates – which means 2018 should be a great rafting season.
“There’s going to be a great rafting season up on the Payette River and the Main Salmon along with the Middle Fork. And the Selway and the Lochsa will really be flowing.”
He notes that one exception is in the very southwest corner of the state, where he expects a short rafting season on the Owyhee River.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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