Six weeks and counting until Team Missions travels to the Philippines

   Team Missions, led by Monique and Don Judkins, has just six weeks to go before they embark on their two-week short term missions trip to an orphanage in the Philippines. This year the team consists of not only Monique and her husband Don of Orofino, but also Gwen Tuning of Woodland, Luke Manifold and Kathy Gadowa of Grangeville and Becky Gillespie of Fort Benton, Montana.

   While in the Philippines they will be doing many service projects for Nehemiah House, including digging a large ditch to divert flood waters away from the orphanage, repainting all three buildings, and repairing the roof. Don and Luke are heading up all the service projects. Monique is planning to provide dental care for all the children to include sealants, cleanings, fluoride treatments and oral care instructions. 

   Fun projects include a puppet ministry to be done by the whole team, bible studies prepared by Gwen, and crafts are being overseen by Kathy. Becky is a licensed beautician so she will be doing haircuts and other services they would otherwise not have the money to do like pedicures and manicures.

   The team is also bringing over some much needed underclothing for the girls, but to ensure they all get some new underclothes each, they are bringing over extra money to take the girls shopping. Shirley Johnson of Orofino raised all the money needed to do this.  Thanks go out to Shirley for her help with this.

   The team has been raising money all year. Many of the people in the communities of Orofino, Kamiah and Grangeville have helped by supporting them. Over the last year the team has sold Krispy Kreme donuts, and are currently selling  tickets for two lucky people to win half a beef (all cut to specification), and now their final fundraiser is coming to a close.

   Last Saturday and this Saturday, March 13, they are holding their 3^rd Annual Indoor Garage Sale. This year’s location for the garage sale is the Orofino fairgrounds. All of the items for sale have been donated by the three communities. They had so much stuff donated, they needed a large facility and the fairgrounds are just such an area.

   If you are ready to get out of the house and start the garage sale season off right, come on down. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are still being accepted, just bring them with you. The team would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you that has reached out and helped them; some of you have given outright donations to the team. All of it is very much appreciated; they feel blessed to be living in an area with so many giving and loving people.

   If you are interested in buying some raffle tickets, contact Gwen at 935-2425, Monique at 874-3781, Kathy at 414-4121 or Luke at 553-5987. The beef is donated by Gwen and Steve Tuning and is all organic. The team would like to thank Larry Squires of Battleridge Meats in Kooskia for donating the cutting and wrapping. The drawing is coming up; on April 1 two lucky winners will get each half a beef.

Lack of winter snowfall puts a damper on Idaho's water supply

   Snow survey data collected last week across Idaho by the Natural Resources Conservation Service show February continued this winter’s trend of below normal precipitation. Near record low winter precipitation has resulted in meager snowpacks across the state that range from 55 to 75% of average.

   “The highest snowpacks are along the State’s western and southern edges since they are affected by the major storms hitting the southwestern states,” said Ron Abramovich, Water Supply specialist for NRCS. “That’s the El Nino weather pattern - where the southwest gets above average snowfall and the Pacific Northwest is dry.”

   Idaho’s water supply comes from mountain snowpacks. The majority of reservoir inflows come from snowpacks above 6,000 in southern Idaho and above 4,500 feet in northern Idaho. Given the low snowpacks, runoff will be below normal across the state and irrigation water shortages are predicted in many central, southern and eastern Idaho basins.

   Two long-term snow measuring stations in the Upper Snake Basin in Yellowstone National Park are the 3^rd lowest since records start in 1919. The snowpack in this area affects water supply in eastern Idaho.

   “February’s mountain precipitation ranged from 30-55% of average, adding to below average amounts for November, December and January,” said Ron Abramovich. “Because of the low precipitation amounts, streamflow forecasts decreased from February predictions.”

   Most reservoirs across the state are storing above average amounts for March 1. However, with well below average streamflow predicted for this summer, irrigation demand will draw down reservoirs to their minimal storage levels by summer's end and greatly increase the need for good snow next winter.”

   “One last hope to salvage this year’s water supply would be to receive a cool and wet spring,” Abramovich added. “Above average precipitation and cool temperatures in April and May would delay snow melt, keeping the snowpack in the high country longer.”

   Here is a summary of the Water Supply Outlook by region:

   Clearwater River Basin – This basin had one of the least snowy seasons. The snow index, which combines the total snow water content from 13 SNOTEL sites in the Clearwater basin, indicates that this March 1 is the third driest since records began in 1961. The Clearwater Mountains received snow recently but need a phenomenal amount of snow to bring the snow water content to near average by April. Projected streamflow volumes will be low ranging from 55-65% of average. Dworshak Reservoir is storing near average amounts and will help supplement the lower summer streamflow levels.

   Panhandle Region – The seasonal streamflow volume forecasts reflect the region’s below average snowpacks. Boundary Creek and the Kootenai, Moyie, and Priest Rivers are forecast for 70-75% of average. In the southern part of the region, the St. Joe, Spokane and North Fork Coeur d’Alene Rivers are forecast near 50% of normal.

   Salmon River Basin – The Salmon River basin’s mountains only received 32% of normal precipitation. The seasonal streamflow forecasts range from about 50% of normal for the Salmon River at Salmon and the Middle Fork, to 56-58% for the Lemhi River and Salmon River at White Bird. Spring precipitation will be a key element to improving conditions. River recreation opportunities will still be plentiful, but peak streamflows may be earlier and of short duration.

   Weiser, Payette, Boise River Basins - This region received almost near average precipitation in January which helped the snowpack in all three basins. The snowpack in the Payette basin is 60% of average, while the Boise and Weiser basins have about 73% of average. Despite current reservoir storage at 104% of average (61% of capacity) in the Boise reservoir system, if dry conditions persist through the spring this year’s snowmelt runoff may not be large enough to ensure adequate irrigation water.

   Wood and Lost River Basins - The Little Wood and Big Lost basins received just over 20% of normal precipitation making them the driest part of the state for February. Streamflow forecasts range from 35-65% of average. The Surface Water Supply Index, which combines current reservoir storage with streamflow forecasts, predicts that supplies should be adequate in the Little Wood, but less than adequate in the Big Wood, Big Lost and Little Lost.

   Upper Snake River Basin - The only thing above normal in the Upper Snake is the reservoir storage at 115% of average (82% of capacity). The entire Upper Snake Basin is in desperate need of more snow. February precipitation was 38% of average and the snowpack ranges from 47% in Hoback Basin to 68% in Portneuf Basin. Streamflow forecasts range from 31-66% of average.

   Southside Snake River Basin – This winter has provided better precipitation for the Southside Snake basins in comparison to much of the rest of Idaho. February precipitation varied from 42-94% of average. Snowpacks ranged from 104% of average (Owyhee) to 71% (Salmon Falls). Streamflow forecasts call for 38-68% of average volumes this summer.

   Bear River Basin – The snowpack for the basin is 60% of average. The streamflow forecasts are some of the lowest in the region. According to the Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI), which combines current reservoir storage and forecasted streamflow volumes, the water supply conditions will be marginally adequate. Spring rains would greatly improve the water supply situation.

   For the complete February Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report, visit www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow and click on the ‘Water Supply’ link.