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February Snow Means Great Whitewater In Idaho

Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association

In January, Idaho river outfitters were a bit worried about a lack of good snowpack. After February’s monster storms, they’ve gone from troubled to overjoyed.

The Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association says all the mountain snow this year will translate into a perfect whitewater rafting and jet boating season this spring and summer.

Snowpack is above-average in river basins that make up much of the whitewater rafting and boating statewide. The Owyhee basin is at 130 percent of normal and the Bruneau is 121 percent of normal. Ron Abramovich is the water supply specialist for the NRCS Snow Survey in Idaho. He says the snow will add up to a great runoff for rivers. He says that’s good news for Idaho outfitters and rafters.

All that snow is adding up to more outfitter bookings overall. Some outfitters are already booking trips for the 2020 season.

Lots of water and storage in the Upper Snake River region means floaters will get a rare chance to take trips on the Murtaugh whitewater section of the Snake River near Twin Falls over the next two months.

Find Samantha Wright on Twitter @samwrightradio

Copyright 2019 Boise State Public Radio

As Senior Producer of our live daily talk show Idaho Matters, I’m able to indulge my love of storytelling and share all kinds of information (I was probably a Town Crier in a past life!). My career has allowed me to learn something new everyday and to share that knowledge with all my friends on the radio.

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