Corps alters reservoir policy with snow pack at 70 percent

Below average snowpack in the Clearwater sub-basin and uncertain inflows from future weather conditions add up to an earlier than normal fill planned for Dworshak Reservoir, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water management officials.

“This is an unusual year for water management,” said Steve Hall, water management program manager at the corps’ Walla Walla District. “The water supply forecast for April through July is 70 percent of normal. Last year at this time, the water supply forecast was 128 percent of normal. As a result, we have to manage the reservoir quite differently this ye...