Water managment

Submitted by Kristine Kempthorne on Tue, 2017-07-11 00:00

I have not been in the area long. I have always come up here in the summers and I have never seen anything like the high water levels. from my understanding the flooding this year has been soemthing that this area has never encountered. What kind of things are being done to prevent this from happing next year?The Boise area is known for its beautiful area and the ability to enjoy the water/greenbelt.

Comments

Ashlee Kolar's picture

You're right, it's been a crazy year for flooding.  I hope they can get the green belt and other areas back up to where they were. The valley thrives upon its recreational activities and enjoying the beauty nature has to offer-right in our own back yard! 

Duane Shreve's picture

Good Morning,

This was a question that was asked at the diversion dam yesterday.  This year was an unusual year for snow fall and snow pack melt, but it could happen again and if it does the agencies dealing with this have a plan in place. It looks a lot like the plan they used this year.  The level of the river at Glenwood Bridge was measured at 9,600 cfs while the incoming water was measured at 24000 cfs at the highest flow.  This year the New York Canal was opened earlier than usual to help with the difference in flows and they said it could happen next year as well.  

A lot of people have asked why they didn't just fill Lucky Peak, Arrow Rock, and Anderson Dams earlier and then release the water after they were full.  This is controlled by the snow pack, night time, day time temperatures, and precipitation. All of these are very difficult to predict so it makes sense to error on the side of caution.  Let the water out early, under contol as much as possible knowing the water in the mountains will eventually come.