Managers of the Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District will start filling the canal system on Monday morning.
Crews have been busy this week making sure everything is ready to go and in working order. They're anticipating a good irrigation season for water users.
"Today, it doesn't look like anybody will need some [irrigation water] for just a little bit," says Greg Curtis, the water superintendent for the Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District. "But as soon as it dries out, farmers will get back in the fields, tractors will start running again and they'll be wanting the water."
As for Lake Lowell, there is still 16,000 acre-feet left to go until it reaches full capacity, according to Boise Project Board of Control Project Manager Tim Page. In fact, he says levels are on track compared to where they were last year at this time.
Besides filling irrigation requests, Page says they can alleviate levels at the lake by releasing water onto the Snake River's wasteways.
You also might be wondering what all this water means for the upcoming wildfire season.
According to BLM Public Affairs Specialist Jessica Gardetto, a team of meteorologists are currently working to answer that question. Once their analysis is complete, Treasure Valley fire managers will publicly release their predictions about this time next month.
While it's still early on, Gardetto says when we have a wet winter that it typically delays the onset of the hot and dry season, especially in the higher elevations.
