Get ready for a great recreation season

BOISE-Statewide, Idaho is enjoying above average snowpack. This means awesome spring skiing, rip-roaring whitewater and a long boating season.

"What a difference a year can make," said Ron Abramovich, water supply specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). "Last year at this time, we were experiencing below average snowpack. Now, the entire state is above average-the first time since 1997."

Colder temperatures and a moist storm track over the past month steadily added to the snowpack in all basins. The Panhandle and Clearwater regions have the lowest snowpack but still reached 100 percent by April 1. Meanwhile, the Weiser, South Fork Boise, Big Wood, Little Wood and Big Lost are all 130-140 percent. Camas Creek (Fairfield) is at 160 percent, Willow Creek (Ririe) 145 percent, Oakley and Salmon Falls 138-144 percent, and the Bruneau and Owyhee basins at 156 percent. Other areas are 110-130 percent of average.

This means one of the best whitewater seasons in 10 years. Also, reservoirs will remain full later into the summer for water skiing, boating and fishing.

Overall, streamflow forecasts are well above average. The Middle Fork Salmon, Payette and the Owyhee (near Rome) rivers are forecasted at 130-150 percent while Salmon Falls Creek and the Bruneau River are 170-180 percent.

River runners can expect a prolonged season-beginning with early desert canyon streams, then mid-season high water runs, prolonged above average flows through late summer on the main Salmon, and then early fall in the Payette and South Fork Snake rivers.

"River running opportunities will be outstanding this year," Abramovich says. "However, river runners should use caution. Water levels could be very high during the peak flow period and also carry debris from recent forest fires."

The NRCS Snow Survey Program publishes the Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report. For the full report, including conditions for specific basins, and daily updates, visit www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/watersupply.