PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (ID) Flooding in Southern Idaho

Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2017 13:08:59 EST

Summary: Lower elevation snowmelt and additional precipitation is causing flooding along the southeast Idaho border.

A series of fronts moving through Idaho this week are causing heavy precipitation in the form of snow and rain in Southern Idaho. Rain, heavy at times, falling on already substantial and above normal low-lying snowpack is causing flooding on some rivers and streams in remote portions of southern and southeastern Idaho. Local flooding has caused closures of Interstate 86 from the I-84 junction to the Rockland interchange near American Falls, ID. Water is noted as being over the roadway. Rivers and streams in the area are rising with expected peaks to occur later this week. A flood watch through the National Weather Service has been issued for the American Falls area through 8:00 MST 2/7/2017. Rain is expected to turn to snow and decrease Tuesday night and Wednesday then another front is expected to bring more rain Thursday through the weekend.

The Idaho Water Science Center has deployed one crew to the Raft River which is the potential source of flooding on the interstate. One to two additional crews will be going out later this week to measure potential flooding of tributaries to the Portneuf River nr Pocatello, ID. Larger river systems are not expected to near flood stage at this time. Localized flooding is occurring and expected to continue along smaller streams and tributaries through the remainder of this week. All gaging stations seem to be working properly. IDWSC is in communication with the National Weather Service, USBR, and Idaho Department of Transportation.