A look at snowpack levels near Idaho City: What surveyors are saying

IDAHO CITY, Idaho (CBS2) The rain and snow we've seen here in the Treasure Valley this month is nothing compared to what's piling up in the Boise Basin. Water specialists went beyond Idaho City for a snow survey.

The rain and snow we've seen here in the Treasure Valley this month is nothing compared to what's piling up in the Boise Basin.

Water specialists went beyond Idaho City for a snow survey.

Experts escorted CBS 2's Chief Photographer to see how they do the snow survey and they couldn't even go as far as they wanted to because of limited road conditions.

Surveyors did make it to a snow measuring station a little closer to Idaho City and mother nature did not disappoint.

" February has been amazing since Feb. 2. The storms keep coming in so right now the Boise Basin has received 300% of normal precipitation for the month of February... The little wood is up to four times its normal amount," says Ron Abromavich.

Abromavich goes on to says while the snow is deep, it doesn't have as much water content as some previous years because it's been so cold. The snow came down light and dry.

"What was unusual about this month was the cold temps, so it kept that snow falling light and dry and fluffy. So it’s ideal for skiers and snowmobilers who play and recreate," said Abromavich.

Abromavich also says it should be a good year for water supply use by farmers. He says there should be plenty of water without the major flooding like we saw two years ago. But he also warns... Winter is not over and it looks like more storms return next week.

"It’s all good news, we’ve got a lot of snow depth here, it’s going to settle with the warmer temperatures, and there’s not as much water content as even 2017," said Abromavich. "When there’s high concerns when it melts, but you have to remember, we have another month, month and a half to go too."

Today’s SWE is the greatest since 1999 and the 14th highest since 1942.

  • #1 is 1999 with 131” and 43.1” SWE
  • #2 is 1956 with 129” and 45.4” SWE
  • #3 is 1942 with 126” and 49.2 SWE (this is max march 1 SWE)

Quick Facts

  • Depth of snow on the ground increased 75” since the Jan 31 snow survey
  • Previous maximum increase in Feb was 46 inches in 1986 & 1949
  • The snow water content at Mores Creek more than doubled during Feb increasing from 15.2” to 36.3”. This increase equals about 200” of snowfall during the month, normal snowfall is about 70” for February.
  • Boise Basin snowpack is 128% of median for today, and the basin has received 300% of normal February precipitation, 3X normal amounts.

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