Streamflow Levels Will Be A Concern Across Southern Idaho, Much Of The West

The lack of snowpack is already making itself known across the western United States.  Erin Whorton with NRCS in Idaho said that mid-level and high elevation snowpack typically keeps streams and rivers full into late spring and early summer.  But because of Mother Nature’s absence this winter, much of the west is going to see streamflow levels drop extremely low.

“In areas like the southern part of Idaho where they had a very, very low, almost like a record low snowpack in some areas, and it melted off exceptionally quickly, they're already at streamflow levels that are below the historical minimums observed," Whorton pointed out.  "And you know, we obviously need water in our streams for the Ag community, but we also need it for fish, for recreation, there's a lot of reasons why we need that snow melt to provide that water later in the summer.”

Dry Conditions Could Extend For Over A Year

Whorton added the lack of a spring runoff will also mean many in the farming community will need to rely on these other sources of water sooner.  She said unless the region sees some sort of monsoonal rains this summer to supplement, the issue of water shortages will continue into 2027.

“It's very likely that we'll end the irrigation season with very low reservoir levels," she said.  "And you know, the water that's stored in the reservoirs is like money in the bank. You have it for other hard times and so next year that just even more pressure to have a good snowpack, maybe an above normal snowpack to fill those reservoirs.  So, it's sort of like, you know, the challenge just gets prolonged.”

Not The Kind Of Change The PNW Needs

Whorton added NOAA is predicting at this point the transition to an El Niño this summer and into the fall.  And typically for the Northwest, that means warmer and drier conditions, which means right now, it looks like the winter of 2026-2027 will be another warm and dry one.

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