Flood watch not quite finished

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — After February's snow dumping, a dry March has helped stave off typical threats of spring flooding from mountain runoff in Kootenai County.

However, the flood watch still isn't over with rain in the forecast.

"We are closely monitoring the steady moderate to potential heavy rains that are forecasted," said Sandy Von Behren, Kootenai County's Office of Emergency Management director. "This may present some minor flooding because we do still have snow in the lower elevations in some parts of the county.

"The spring showers also have the potential to set off minor rock slides due to saturation of the soil, so those living around or driving through areas that are more prone to rock slides would use caution."

Von Behren said while Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Coeur d'Alene and Spokane rivers are expected to rise into next week, the National Weather Service is not predicting flooding.

"Local fields that have been experiencing flooding will most likely continue to see flooding," she said.

Von Behren said the combination of warmer weather and spring rain can quickly overwhelm culverts that may have become clogged during winter, leading to slow drainage or even flooding.

"Everyone should do their part to inspect and clear out debris from their culverts and ditches to increase drainage," she said. "It is one of the most effective steps to minimize potential flooding."

The Idaho Natural Resources Conservation Service monthly water supply report released on Friday states that March precipitation totals in the Panhandle were only 25 to 45 percent of average.

That left the water year-to-date precipitation ranging from 70 percent of average in the Coeur d'Alene Basin to 90 percent of average in Rathdrum Creek.

Ron Abramovich, NRCS water supply specialist, said streamflow forecasts decreased slightly from March 1 because of the below-normal March precipitation, but still mirror the snowpack, increasing as you move from North Idaho into southern Idaho.

Snowpack totals in the Panhandle are 80 to 90 percent of normal for this time of year.

"Forecast for flows in Panhandle rivers are 75 to 80 percent of normal for the April-through-July period," the report states.