Oregon Public Broadcasting

It’s been wet lately.  But a new spring and summer water supply forecast shows the Northwest’s workhorse rivers, including the Snake and Columbia, are still running behind their long-term averages.  Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

The Northwest River Forecast Center in Portland charts the expected runoff in the Columbia River and its tributaries.  Irrigators and hydropower dam operators pay close attention.

The center assumes normal rainfall for the balance of the spring.

Hydrologist Steve King says much of the Northwest started the year in the hole as far as water supply is concerned.

Steve King: “Now March precipitation was strong, but in fact that’s not one of our heaviest accumulation months.  It’s not quite the same as having a huge precipitation in January.”

The most widely watched water gauge is runoff past the The Dalles on the Columbia River.  The forecast there calls for streamflows between 82 and 85 percent of average through September. 

It’s not great, but King guesses most water users will manage satisfactorily.

Online:

NOAA Northwest River Forecast Center