Idaho
How does this year’s surface water supply look for eastern Idaho? – East Idaho News
POCATELLO – Eastern Idaho’s snowpack and reservoir storage has improved over the winter, but high temperatures over the coming months could drive up demand for that water.
The 2024-2025 winter brought close-to-normal and above-normal precipitation to Idaho Falls and Pocatello, respectively, which has resulted in high reservoir levels and a snowpack forecast to give close-to-average runoff. However, the National Weather Service predicts the region will see higher-than-average temperatures and below-average precipitation over the spring and summer, which would cause a higher demand for storage water.
And if a water shortage is to occur this upcoming growing season, last year’s long-term mitigation agreement significantly changes how surface water and groundwater users would respond.
“If they don’t have enough water in those reservoirs to make up for the water they’re not getting out of the sky, then that’s where the issues start,” said Sherrie Hebert, observation program lead of the NWS Pocatello office.
What does eastern Idaho’s water storage look like ahead of the growing season?
The three-month average temperatures from December to February for both Idaho Falls and Pocatello were not out of the ordinary, despite having their second- and third-hottest December on record, respectively. Temperatures cooled off enough in January and February to bring the overall average temperature within a normal range.
The two cities have also seen typical and above-average precipitation levels. The accumulated precipitation over the winter has allowed eastern Idaho to build up its water storage ahead of the growing season.
According to provisional data from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the entire Upper Snake River reservoir system is at 82% of capacity. Although the Jackson Lake is 76% full and the Palisades Reservoir is 72% full, the American Falls Reservoir is 93% full.
How does the snowpack look?
Craig Chandler, the water master for Water District 1, said the winter’s precipitation has improved the snowpack.
“The snowpack has certainly improved from the levels that were we were at early winter,” Chandler said.
The snowpack of the Snake Basin above Palisades is at 114% of median snow water equivalent. The snow water equivalent represents how much liquid water would result if the snowpack melted instantaneously, and because the figure is the percentage of the median, 100% represents the median snow water equivalent.
As for how much runoff this growing season will add to river flows, Chandler said, “It’s a little bit more complicated than just looking at the snowpack.”
“There are a number of agencies out there that look at all this data, and … they come up with a runoff forecast … where they look at all these various pieces of data and then come up with a prediction for the amount of runoff that’s going to come from the snowpack,” Chandler said.
For reference, base flows have stayed at around 89% of average this winter, which Chandler described as a “little low.” The runoff forecast from the Bureau of Reclamation for the beginning of March was 94% of average runoff.
“Now, that’s probably still a good number. It may have kicked up a little bit from there with the snows that we got over the last couple weeks, but we’re probably sitting somewhere in that 95% to 100% of average range for the forecasted runoff,” Chandler said.
Will it be enough?
While reservoir levels and the snowpack have improved over the winter, summer temperatures and precipitation levels play a significant role in how far that water supply will stretch.
“If we have a dry, hot summer, then irrigation needs (are) going to increase, and then that puts more demand on the reservoirs, but if we have good precipitation this year, and not a really hot summer, then that’s not going to put a lot of stress on them,” Hebert said.
Chandler affirmed this, saying, “If we have higher temperatures, that’s going to lead to an increase in irrigation demand. Farmers are going to need to put more water on their crops to help them grow.”
This would mean higher storage water use from surface water users, depleting reservoir levels quicker.
Thanks to last year’s agreement, the 2024 Stipulated Mitigation Plan, groundwater users with junior water rights have “safe harbor” from water curtailments as long as they follow the mitigation plan. But Chandler said that depending on temperature and precipitation levels, groundwater users may have to acquire more storage water to deliver to senior surface water users.
“One of the details of the agreement is an obligation to deliver storage water to the surface water coalition. And so if there’s a higher storage use, that may lead to a scenario where a larger volume of storage water needs to be supplied to keep the senior surface water irrigators whole,” Chandler said.
Hebert said the three-month outlook for April, May and June forecasts temperatures rising to around 35% above normal, with precipitation levels dropping to around 40% to 50% below normal. Looking further into July, August and September, the temperatures are forecast to around 60% to 70% above normal temperatures, with around 40% below normal precipitation.
“So that’s not looking too good for our farmers,” Hebert said.
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The Idaho Transportation Department has quite a few large projects happening around the state. One of those is the replacement of the I84 interchange to Burley and Heyburn. The work began in 2024, and a new step in the progress begins this week.
There will be a number of bridge and ramp closures that will affect traffic on Interstate 84 this week while crews work. The closures will also impact access and traffic on State Highway 24, Centennial Drive, Highway 30, and State Highway 25 in the area.
Part of I84 Will Close This Week in Southern Idaho For Bridge and Ramp Work
The Idaho Transportation Department shared an update and the details of the closures today on social media. Drivers should be cautious and pay attention to signs regarding traffic changes during the closures, which are expected to last through Friday, May 15th.
Beginning on Monday evening, at 6 PM, crews closed Interstate 84 at exit 211 to work on the new bridge. Traffic in the area should use exit 211 to bypass the closure. Work should be finished by 7 AM on Tuesday, but it could still affect the morning drive for some travelers.
READ ALSO: 5 Injured in Southern Idaho Head-on Collision
On Tuesday, the Exit 211 on and off ramps will close intermittently while crews repave SH24. Centennial Drive will also close at some point during this work. The ramps will alternate closures for 6 to 8 hours, and work is expected to continue through Friday. The social media post shares suggestions on alternate routes for drivers during the closures.
Lane reductions are expected to last through June on State Highway 24. Details on the project can be found on the ITD website.
36 of the Worst Idaho License Plate Rejections From 2025
We have to admit that we don’t understand all of these, but the ones that we do really make us question why someone would want these on their car. This isn’t even all of them – we were sent 28 pages with 25 to 30 submissions on each page of rejected personalized plates from 2025.
Gallery Credit: Credit N8 Bird
There’s something special and timeless about the Costco food court.
Having a Costco Card doesn’t just mean you unlock your grocery shopping there but you now get to go to the best food court known to man: The Costco Foodcourt.
Everyone loves their great prices and great options. Whether you’ve wanted to get a pizza to share with your family or one of their beloved giant hot dogs everyone’s got a good reason to go to the Costco Foodcourt.
Costco has been adding a lot of new menu items recently including fun ice cream flavors. Now they have yet again added something new to their menu.
Idaho Costcos
Where to find Costcos in Idaho.
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Costco has added a new menu item that everyone is already going crazy for. In a new viral Instagram reel an influencer revealed that Costco food courts around the country would be adding chicken strips to their menu! This feels like the perfect addition to the already extremely popular Costco food court and we can already see everyone going crazy over this new menu item.
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
As of right now it appears the chicken tenders are going to be 6.99 and include 5 chicken strips. They also seemingly have a new sauce that is going to be paired with these chicken strips and it looks delicious!
Credit: Instagram/costcohotfinds
You’ll have to check out all of the local Idaho Costcos for when these hit stores because they just look delicious!
Look at those chicken tenders:
Costco Foodcourt’s New Item
It’s a Caramel Brownie Sundae!!!
Gallery Credit: Shannon Buccola
Change Complete at Costco’s Food Courts
Who would have thought that an age old debate would bring out such a reaction in Costco shoppers!?
Gallery Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM
You’ve heard that our federal Constitution was made for a moral people. The line is attributed to the founding father and second President, John Adams. Notice he said “moral,” not “Christian.” One of my friends was a graduate of Liberty University, a prestigious Christian school. His mission in life was to evangelize, but he always cautioned his listeners that our founders spoke of a Creator, and not Jesus. Some of our early leaders were devout Christians. Many of them were also womanizers, drinkers, and gave religion no more than lip service. They were people who wanted to be left alone, and if they practiced faith, it was personal, and they didn’t believe it was the government’s role to dictate morality.
They Mock Good People of Other Faiths
I’m reminded of a story about the 2024 Republican National Convention. Harmeet Dhillon, a rising star in the party, spoke. She referenced her Sikh faith, and someone in the crowd felt compelled to shout “Jesus is Lord!” Now, maybe a majority believes that, but are you sure He wants you to taunt good and moral people? Or would God prefer a gentler approach? For instance, you could pray for conversions.
Where does the Great Commission instruct you to be rude to people of good moral character?
Idaho’s Glenneda Zuiderveld was an alternate delegate, and when a seatmate said the man was rude, the state senator dismissed the argument. “We’re all going to be judged,” she said. What’s a Senator’s purpose in politics?
The Pot Calling the Kettle Black
A few days ago, a local church had a men-only event for candidates. A group of liberal women demonstrated outside. I don’t know why they can’t organize their own event instead, but apparently, they would rather be confrontational. They’ve accomplished nothing more than preening and making a claim that they’re more virtuous, but the church is within its rights to hold a men-only event. If you want a women’s only event, I’m not bothered. Let me add a caveat. Some of the men involved believe that it’s okay to berate members of the LDS Church as they enter the temple. I wouldn’t say screaming at someone that they’re going to hell is a sign of moral people. Again, if you think they’re wrong, then pray for them.
Some people wonder why they’re called Christian nationalists. Do we need to draw them some pictures?
Brad Little Through The Years
Gallery Credit: Kevin Miller
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