Snowmelt peaks flows have passed but June rains can generate additional increases. Didn’t realize the Moyie River is flowing near record low and exactly the opposite of 2022.
Author: Ron Abramovich
ABOUT ME Ron Abramovich is a retired Idaho Water Supply Specialist who still watches the snow, weather and flow.
Flow Update for Southern Idaho
Snowmelt water is still feeding our rivers with enough from the higher elevation basins to generate another increase in the Big Lost River and Teton River. Weather outlooks are trending with more of the same weather for the rest of June – cool in southern Idaho / Nevada and warmer towards Seattle.
MF & Salmon Snow2Flow Update
With snowmelt rates at 1.5-2.0″ a day for several days streams are reaching their peaks just as cooler temps arrived and snow starts to runs out a few sites. But as observed in the Owyhee and Bruneau Rivers, rivers stayed higher longer probably as a result of the good mid-elevation snow that feeds ’em.
Boundary Creek Road May 19, 2023 with 15″ SWE at Banner Summit.
Bruneau Snow2Flow Update
This is too interesting not to share. The 2100 cfs flow plateau has occurred in the past. This is why its important to understand these Snow2Flow Relationships. It’s all about relationships…
Snowmelt Rates – Why Rivers Rise
Ahh springtime in the Mountains! Everyone sings about weather… Riders on the Storm, Let it Snow, Mr. Blue Sky, Hello Sunshine, Purple Rain, Thunderstruck, Lightnin Strikes, Dust in the Wind, Rock You Like a Hurricane, Rainy Day Women… but only a few songs are about Snowmelt Rates. Maybe because the sound of melting snow is soothing, calming and relaxing.
It took Mother Nature 6 months to build our winter mountain snowpack and will gradually melt the snow in only 2 months in the spring! We know our summers are going to be dry and this is what makes life in the West life so unique. Because our summers are so dry makes us love our snow even more. See full summary below.
Big Lost & Big Wood Rivers Snow2Flow Update
It’s almost time for a road trip to find the the Big Lost White Stallion ! Warming day time temps and above freezing nighttime temps will keep the snow melting 24 hours a day.
Lochsa & Selway Snow2Flow Update
It’s peak season time for the Lochsa & Selway Rivers. Peaking nearly a month earlier than last year because of the cool, wet spring in 2022.
Bruneau Snow & Flow Update
Here’s a short update, just dont tell Mike… The Bruneau is unique place, lets keep it that way. There’s enough snow to produce another increase, but the wild card are the extended period of hot temps. I didn’t look to see how much if any rain fell in May 2006 that added to flow increase.
MF & Salmon Rivers Snow to Flow Update
The heat is on and will increase snow melt rates from higher elevations that are now feeding the streams. Following are similar snow years and resulting streamflow with comparisons to this year’s volume forecasts.
Salmon Falls Creek Snow to Flow Update
Usually need at least 500 CFS to float the creek. Becomes more of an adventure with less and faster with more.
Snow Weather and Flow 