Middle Snake-Payette

Watershed Hydrology

The Middle Snake Payette Watershed (HUC 17050115) covers nearly 3,700 square miles in southwest Idaho. The watershed is largely mountainous and includes several major rivers, including the Payette, Snake, and Boise. The area receives a significant amount of precipitation, which contributes to a healthy hydrological system. The watershed is also home to several large reservoirs, including Lucky Peak and Arrowrock, which are used for irrigation, flood control, and recreation. Snowpack in the watershed is an important contributor to the hydrologic cycle, with the mountains receiving an average of 150% of the precipitation that falls in the valley. However, changes in climate have resulted in declining snowpack levels in recent years, which has the potential to impact downstream water availability. In addition to its natural features, the Middle Snake Payette Watershed is also home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. The area's climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cold winters, with occasional extreme weather events like flooding and drought.


Surface Flows

Middle Snake-Payette Watershed

Snowpack Depths

Middle Snake-Payette Watershed

Dams & Reservoirs

Middle Snake-Payette Watershed

Groundwater Levels

Middle Snake-Payette Watershed

Middle Snake-Payette Rivers

Rivers of the Watershed