Henry’s Fork, March 2nd, 2024
Yes, the current storms have limited access to much of the river and its drainage. But consider that this unusual amount of snowfall means better potential for great fly fishing next season.
Headlines From Dr. Rob Van Kirk’s Henry’s Fork Drainage SWE Report Filed March 2nd
- Moderate and more widespread precipitation yesterday ended a very wet month of February, increasing water-year total precipitation to 96% of average and SWE to 82% of average.
- Heavy precipitation is expected to continue for the next week, with the March monthly outlook leaning toward above-average precipitation.
- Mean outflow from Island Park Reservoir over the critical December–February period for trout survival was 411 cfs, 116% of average.
- Island Park Reservoir gained 4,732 ac-ft over the Dec–Feb period and is 90% full, compared with 78% full on average. Outflow will be reduced to 375 cfs next week to fill the reservoir a little faster.
- The upper Snake River reservoir system is filling rapidly and is 83% full, compared with 66% full on average.
Details
As important as the warm temperatures may end up being later this spring for reservoir ice-off and subsequent water quality, the bigger story of February 2024 was precipitation. The watershed mean for the month was 5.18 inches, 142% of average. February precipitation totals were 127% of average in Fall River headwaters, 130% of average in Teton headwaters, 143% of average in upper Henry’s Fork, and a whopping 218% of average in the valleys. That moved water-year precipitation from 84% of average at the beginning of the month to 96% of average this morning, ranking 18th out of the last 36 years.
Rob Van Kirk, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
P.O. Box 550
Ashton, ID 83420
208-881-3407 CELL