Snowmelt, Storms Put New Pressure On Snake’s Flow More Water Released Into River From Upstream Reservoir

Flood fighters continued fortifying levees and emergency dikes throughout eastern Idaho on Wednesday as more water was dumped into the swollen Snake River upstream.

Warmer temperatures accelerating mountain snowmelt and storms that began moving through the area Tuesday night prompted federal water managers to increase the flows from Palisades Reservoir upstream.

After remaining stable for several days at 36,000 cubic feet per second, the water releases were increased Wednesday afternoon to 38,000 to match the amount of water flowing into the reservoir.

“We’re crossing our fingers and hoping that will do it,” a Bureau of Reclamation spokeswoman said.

That was just 1,000 cfs below the record peak of last weekend that led to the dramatic flooding of small farm communities along the river and thousands of acres of cropland and pasture.

After more than a week of high water there are still no injuries. But it will take a number of hours before the new surge reaches the already flooded communities of Jefferson and Bingham counties.

The earlier record releases were still making their way down the Snake across southern and western Idaho. The National Weather Service had a flood warning posted for communities along 225 miles of river downstream from Pocatello as the crest moved past them.

Upstream diversions through the irrigation canal system around Twin Falls were keeping the river from rising above the bridge that supports the 560-foot concrete pipe carrying three-fourths of the water for the city of 30,000 across the Snake. The river remained within inches of the bridge, which normally is a dozen feet above the surface.

Farmers are only beginning to assess losses from thousands of submerged acres. And now the recreation industry is feeling the pinch.

Fishing guides on the South Fork of the Snake typically have full bookings for float trips in the latter part of June, but the high water has pushed back booking dates to at least mid-July for what could be more than $1 million in lost business.

“By the time this water goes down, we’d have probably had 30 full days of fly-fishing,” said LaMoyne Hyde, owner of Hyde Outfitting.

But what is traumatic for people appears to be good for fish.

The high water is scouring out the river, redepositing gravel bars and debris that renew habitat for its famous trout fishery.