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…
Author: Ron Abramovich
ABOUT ME Ron Abramovich is a retired Idaho Water Supply Specialist who still watches the snow, weather and flow.
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.
Teton River Snow to Flow Update
Always fun using Grand Targhee and Philips Bench SNOTEL sites to predict Teton River’s peak flow even though peak wont happen until mid-June.
Bogus Basin Snow Summary for the 2022/23 Season
The winter of 2022 – 2023 will be a winter to remember. Here’s a summary of the history of the Bogus Basin snow sites that are used to compare this year’s snowfall to the historic data, and the 113 inches of record setting depth of snow measured on the ground March 30, 2023.
May 3 – Snow 2 Flow Update for Southern Idaho Rivers
Update for Owyhee, Weiser, Camas, Salmon Falls, Bruneau, Boise & Big Wood
For complete Snow to Flow Relationships see:
Snow Melt / Peak Streamflow Relationships (PDF; 146 KB) – Report by Kara Ferguson (2017) summarizing the relationship between snowmelt and peak streamflow timing on rivers throughout Idaho.
From https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/wcc/home/quicklinks/states/idaho/watersupply/peak
And NWS peak flow products and forecasts:
Peak Flow and Stage Forecasts from NWS
Know your boating limits as rivers will be high for an extended period.
Snow Weather and Flow 