Southern Idaho Braces For Possible Spring Flooding

State water specialists say there should be plenty of surface water to go around in southern Idaho this year.  Most water basins in southern Idaho are at or above record levels.  That’s good news for irrigators but it could spell trouble when it starts to melt.  The National Resources Conservations Service says a lot of the snowpack generally melts in April but because of cooler temperatures in April that didn’t happen this year.  That will leave more snow to melt in a shorter period of time and that could mean more flooding when it does begin to melt.  The Bureau of Reclamation is emptying some of the reservoirs in the Upper Snake River Basin to make room for the runoff.  Palisades Dam in eastern Idaho is down to nearly 25 percent of capacity.  Officials say there could be some flooding in some of the lower-lying areas this year.  Salmon Falls Creek near Rogerson could run double its normal flow this spring.  Those living near rivers in southern Idaho are being warned to get items away from the riverbank.  Floaters are also being warned that river levels will be higher and more dangerous throughout the summer.