Here’s a summary of current snow water supply conditions for Idaho’s 4 River Lottery Rivers. Short on time for complete analysis but this should provide current info about the accumulation of this winter’s unique snowpack and where we are compared to other years.
A change in weather pattern starting around Dec 18 as hinted by Nov SOI Spikes brought numerous Atmospheric Rivers events with abundant precipitation to parts of the West. Too much rain in some areas. Locally, warm temps allowed this moisture to fall as rain rather than snow except in higher elevations around Idaho. Water year to date precip is near normal across most of the state. Snowpacks are near record low in lower elevations and increase in higher elevations. Smiley Mountain snow, in the Big Lost Basin, is 171% of normal. Here’s a summary explaining the abundant moisture and influence of temps on snowfall across central Idaho.
It was an interesting 13 days since last post Dec 6 watching the weather and models coming together and now there’s model agreement of the active weather continuing into mid-January.
Thanks Idaho Trails Association and letting me camp, work and watch the Selway River rise and fall this May. Here’s a summary about the climatic conditions (daily/weekly weather, cold & warm fronts, record high day & non-freezing night temps, snowmelt rates, lack of spring precipitation) that produced this spring’s Selway River hydrograph shape. It’s a complex world out there. Hopefully this helps explain the diurnal river changes and why our rivers flow the way they do as our winter snowpack melts in the spring.
When you see the Buffalo Fork snowmelt runoff peak happen in the upper Snake River basin, you know the snowmelt runoff season is winding down. Here’s an update with similar recession years to help in monitoring this year’s flow. Projections are made for some rivers if a peak wasn’t happening.
Alphabetical flow graph summary – includes most Idaho rivers across the state and similar runoff years. Short on time to do full analysis but wanted to share.
For MF, Main Salmon, Selway & Lochsa and a few more – Owyhee, Bruneau and Salmon Falls Creek. Enjoy, be safe and keep and eye on the weather and flow levels for changing conditions.
Snow2Flow Update for: MF & Main Salmon Rivers – Selway & Lochsa Rivers and a few more: Owyhee, Camas Creek and Salmon Falls Creek
Snow is melting, rivers are rising, enjoy and be safe. Know your limits.
Snow Weather and Flow 