BOISE, IDAHO (RFD NEWS) — Concerns are growing across the western U.S. after an unusually low snowpack season left rivers, streams, and reservoirs under significant pressure heading into the peak irrigation months.
Farmers throughout the region rely heavily on mountain snowpack to replenish waterways used for irrigation, livestock, recreation, and hydropower generation.
Erin Whorton, a water supply specialist, says conditions in parts of the West are among the worst she has seen.
“In areas like the southern part of Idaho, where they had a very, very low, almost like a record-low snowpack in some areas, and it melted off exceptionally quickly, they’re already at streamflow levels that are below the historical minimums observed.”
Whorton says the rapid snowmelt is leaving streams and rivers with critically low flows far earlier than normal.
“We obviously need water in our streams for the ag community, but we also need it for fish, for recreation, and there are a lot of reasons why we need that snow melt to provide that water later in the summer.”
Reservoir Concerns Could Stretch Into Next Year
Whorton says many growers may now have to rely on alternative water sources earlier than expected as irrigation demand increases through the summer.
She warns reservoir levels are likely to remain extremely low unless the region receives unusually heavy rainfall in the months ahead.
“It’s very likely that we’ll end the irrigation season with very low reservoir levels. And the water that’s stored in the reservoirs is like money in the bank. You have it for other hard times.”
She says low carryover water supplies could intensify pressure on next year’s growing season as well.
“Next year, that just puts even more pressure to have a good snowpack — maybe an above-normal snowpack — to fill those reservoirs.”
Looking ahead, Whorton says a possible shift toward El Niño conditions later this year may not bring much relief to the Northwest, where El Niño is often associated with warmer, drier winter weather.
California Almond Growers Monitor Crop for Heat and Disease
Meanwhile, California almond growers are closely watching this year’s crop after an early-season combination of heat and scattered spring showers created additional challenges in orchards.
Advisors with the University of California Cooperative Extension say the weather pattern accelerated crop development while also increasing disease concerns at times during the spring.
“This year has been quite an interesting year, not just for almonds, but mainly all the permanent crops that we’ve seen.”
Growers say early heat pushed crop development ahead of schedule, with harvest expected to begin one to two weeks earlier than last year in some areas.
“The heat really kind of came on early, and so it really kind of pushed things forward.”
At the same time, spring showers during April increased disease pressure in orchards, prompting many growers and pest control advisers to stay aggressive with fungicide applications and crop protection efforts.
“It seems like growers and PCAs were able to stay on top of things with getting their sprays out, keeping the crop protected.”
Advisors say growers will continue to closely monitor orchards in the coming months, as rising temperatures, potential heat waves, and increased insect pressure could further influence crop development and harvest timing.
