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North Idaho streamflows continue to be low |
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July 1, 2015 |
An unusual combination of conditions last
winter, along with our current string of high
temperatures, and other factors, are leading to
markedly low stream flows in Boundary County
this spring and summer.
"Our region is experiencing a very unusual year
in terms of low snowpack, early snowmelt, above
average temps, below average spring
precipitation, and low streamflow," said
Katherine Rowden, a hydrologist at the Spokane
office of the National Weather Service.
Ms. Rowden pointed out several current
conditions and observations affecting current
streamflows:
• Several snow observation sites of the U.S.
Natural Resources Conservation Service and also
Canadian sites set records this winter for low
snowpack and early snowmelt across the Western
United States.
• Several rivers and streams are at record low
levels for this time in June
• 2015 has seen record evaporation for the April
- June 24th period dating back to when these
measurements were first made in Spokane starting
in 1980.
• Water supply forecasts at several locations
put summer streamflows at or
near the lowest summer streamflow volumes since
at least 1971.
• Wildfire conditions are at critical levels in
many areas - we're already seeing
conditions that we would see in August in a
typical year.
According to information provided by the
National Weather Service in Spokane, "Early melt
off of our of below average snowpack in the
Pacific Northwest, combined with below average
precipitation since April, has pushed
streamflows to record low levels for this time
of the year."
A couple of impressive local examples of low
streamflows:
BOUNDARY CREEK: In measurements over the past 87
years, the previous record low streamflow for
Boundary Creek (in northern Boundary County near
Porthill) for the date of June 23 was 83 cubic
feet per second, set 75 years ago in 1940. June
23 of this year saw Boundary Creek at a new low
record 58 cubic feet per second.
MOYIE RIVER: Currently, the Moyie River is down
75%, flowing at only 25% of its usual rate for
this time of year.
Along with low streamflows, conditions have
contributed to an exceptionally high fire risk
this season. See our companion story about
current fire risk and fire restrictions that are
being put into place in Northern Idaho beginning
today.
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