Idaho
Water Outlook does not look promising in SW Idaho, but it could be worse without all the precipitation
BOISE, Idaho — It has been a dismal year for snow, but we’ve actually received more precipitation than normal in the Boise and Payette River basins. The difference has been the temperature, and we are trying to learn what the change in climate means for water users— both commercial and recreational.
“If you think about the lack of snow we have gotten in the Treasure Valley, it is unusual,” said hydrologist Troy Lindquist with the National Weather Service.
Click here to see the conditions and hear from the National Weather Service.
Water Outlook does not look promising, but it could be worse without all the precipitation
The mountains of western and central Idaho received some snow this week, and that bumped up the snow water equivalent to 83 percent of average in the Boise Basin, 81 percent in the Payette River Basin, and 69 percent in the Weiser River Basin.
The lack of snow is obvious at lower elevations, but we have also received 4.88 inches of rain at the Boise Airport since the beginning of October, a full inch above the average. I wanted to talk with Troy Linquist to learn more about this strange winter and what it means for the future.
“If we don’t have that mid and low elevation snowpack, that’s just overall going to decrease the spring run-off,” said Lindquist. “Instead of it holding as snow and holding in the mountains, that rain has increased the reservoir system.”
I’ve been out kayaking as the South Fork of the Payette River is flowing at normal summer levels and has been for several weeks.
Most of Idaho’s rivers are flowing higher than normal, including Mores Creek, which dumps into Lucky Peak Reservoir.
It’s good news, but not as good as if the precipitation was sticking around in the mountains in the form of a deep snowpack.
“If we just don’t get the snow that is going to impact the water supply, it’s going to impact vegetation, spring flows, the health of the ecosystem, and stuff like that,” added Lindquist.
The team at the National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation daily and Troy Lindquist told me the outlook for the next ten days doesn’t look good. However, the wet winter months are a marathon, not a sprint— with several months left to improve the outlook. That said, it could also get worse.
“We got the second half of January, February, and March where we can accumulate snowpack,” explained Lindquist. “We do have time to see that snowpack recover, and that’s what we are hoping for.”
The Boise system has pretty good carryover from last year between Anderson Ranch, Arrowrock, and Lucky Peak. The system is 58 percent full, and the Payette system is 71 percent full.
Some of Idaho’s river basins are actually doing pretty well right now, but southern Idaho is doing the worst, as the Owyhee River Basin is sitting at 20 percent of its average snowpack.
ALSO READ | Lemons into lemonade: Kayakers get a unique, winter opportunity while snow conditions worsen
Eugene Merland Ricks, 82, of Idaho Falls, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2026, at his home. He was under the care of Brio Hospice.
Eugene was born July 7, 1943, to Eugene Felix Ricks and Minnie Clements Ricks in Idaho Falls. He grew up in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School.
On January 2, 1970, he married Paula Ivie in Idaho Falls. Merland started Ricks Electric Motor Service in 1976 and continued to operate the business until 2022. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He coached YMCA youth basketball and soccer and was the Scout leader for Troop 127. He was a craftsman, gardener, mechanic, and painter. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and woodcraft.
He was dedicated to getting the job, done right and wasn’t willing to cut corners (Merland’s way). He was a dedicated family man who ensured no family event went unrecorded.
Merland is survived by his wife, Paula Ricks of Idaho Falls; his daughter, Barbara (Rob)Trolson of Mountain Home; his sons: Terry (Roxanne) Ricks of Ririe, Larry (Manuela) White of Menan, Travis Ricks of Idaho Falls, Jared (Christie) Ricks of Idaho Falls, and Christopher (Melissa McConnell) Ricks of Idaho Falls; his brothers: Alfred (Vicki) High of Shelley, Carl (Irene) High of Idaho Falls; his sister, Gloria (Wayne) Gardner of Idaho Falls; 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Minnie High, his father, Eugene Ricks, and his brother Danny High.
No services will be held. Cremation is under the care of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.coltrinmortuary.com.
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho State Board of Education unanimously voted Wednesday to appoint Dr. David W. Hahn as the eighth president of Boise State University, officially ending a prolonged national search for the university’s top leader.
Hahn’s appointment follows his selection as sole finalist on June 16 and the completion of the 10-business-day waiting period required under Idaho law before a final vote could be taken. His appointment is effective July 1.
He will begin transitioning into the role immediately, performing presidential duties remotely as he prepares to relocate to Idaho. Under the terms of his contract, Hahn is expected to be on campus no later than Aug. 10, ahead of the start of the fall semester.
“This vote reflects the confidence of the full Board in the process we undertook and in the leader we have selected,” Idaho State Board of Education President Kurt Liebich said. “Today’s vote is the culmination of a rigorous process, and I have every confidence that Boise State and the state of Idaho are well served by this appointment. Dr. Hahn is the right person to lead Boise State into its next chapter.”
Hahn most recently served as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Arizona. He will succeed interim president Jeremiah Shinn, who led Boise State after former President Marlene Tromp departed in 2025 to take the presidency at the University of Vermont.
The search for Boise State’s next president has been closely watched across Idaho and within higher education circles, stretching more than a year and drawing attention for its shifting timeline and changes in state law governing how public university presidents are selected.
RELATED | Boise State announces restructuring that includes a merger and one college closure
Initially launched as a national search, the process was paused in 2025 as the Idaho State Board of Education reviewed search procedures and lawmakers debated revisions to Idaho’s presidential search law. During that period, no finalists were publicly announced, and the university continued operating under interim leadership.
The Idaho Legislature later approved changes to the process that significantly limited public disclosure of candidates, requiring only a single finalist to be named before a final appointment vote. Supporters of the change said it would help attract stronger candidates by protecting confidentiality during recruitment. Critics argued it reduced transparency for leadership decisions at Idaho’s public universities.
Following the adoption of the new rules, the search resumed in 2026. According to the State Board, dozens of candidates applied for the position, and semifinal interviews were conducted before Hahn emerged as the final selection.
Boise State has continued to navigate major institutional priorities during the leadership transition, including its move into the Pac-12 conference, ongoing research expansion, and campus development projects.
With Wednesday’s vote, the State Board said the search process has concluded and leadership stability has been restored at one of Idaho’s largest public universities.
Hahn will now assume responsibility for guiding Boise State into its next academic and athletic chapter, overseeing academic programs, university operations, fundraising, and strategic planning as he prepares to formally take the helm on campus in August.
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Send tips to neighborhood reporter Allie Triepke
Have a story idea from your neighborhood? Share it with Allie below —
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A man wanted in connection with a robbery at a Meridian home where a firearm was allegedly stolen has been arrested after investigators tracked him to eastern Idaho.
The U.S. Marshals Service located and arrested Francisco Salazar on an arrest warrant issued May 7, 2026, in Ada County. Salazar was wanted in connection with a robbery that occurred at a Meridian, Idaho, residence on March 16, 2026. During the robbery, it was alleged that a firearm had been stolen.
On May 11, 2026, the Meridian Police Department forwarded the arrest warrant to the U.S. Marshals Service for investigation. Investigators determined Salazar had fled the Treasure Valley area.
On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Marshals Task Force received a tip about Salazar’s location in the Idaho Falls area. The U.S. Marshals Service said it maintains a network of agencies throughout Idaho as members of the Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force.
During the operation, task force members from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Chubbuck Police Department, Rexburg Police Department and Idaho Falls Police Department joined with U.S. marshals to locate and arrest Salazar.
On June 30, 2026, investigators said task force members were led to a residential area of Idaho Falls, where they positively sighted Salazar. After brief surveillance, they followed him to an unoccupied area adjacent to the Walmart in Ammon, Idaho.
Authorities said an arrest action was initiated as Salazar was exiting a vehicle. Task force members detected Salazar may have been about to flee on foot and deployed a distraction device, which authorities said de-escalated the situation and allowed Salazar to be taken into custody safely.
-
Los Angeles, Ca52 minutes agoBoy, 17, with autism accused in murder of 4-month-old girl at Claremont daycare
-
Detroit, MI1 hour agoBrief rally not enough for Tigers vs Rangers as win streak ends at 3
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoCrash on freeway in Millbrae leaves driver dead after reportedly overturning multiple times, CHP says
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoPaige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd do the usual in Hartford, win. This time with Dallas Wings
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoWorld Cup-inspired art exhibit transforms Miami’s Wynwood with interactive soccer experience
-
Boston, MA2 hours agoStairlift brings relief to residents stuck in building with broken elevator
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoFree agent point guard Tyus Jones re-signs with the Denver Nuggets – Denver Stiffs
-
Seattle, WA2 hours agoHusky Recruit To Move From Seattle to Florida For High School Ball
