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News Releases

  • Weekend heat spike could prove deadly

    The National Weather Service is predicting a spike in temperatures this weekend, with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s along the Interstate 5 corridor. High heat like this often drives people to seek relief in lakes and rivers across the region, which could be deadly if those who swim, boat or fish are not wearing life jackets.

  • Below average runoff forecasts for upper Missouri River Basin continue

    Runoff continues to be below average in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa. Below-normal precipitation, dry soil conditions in the western portions of the basin, and an overall lack of mountain snowpack resulted in a May runoff of 1.6 million acre-feet (MAF), 46% of average.

  • Water managers monitor upper-elevation rain that could cause local flooding

    Pacific Northwest weather can be a conundrum. In 2026, many parts of the region struggled to build snowpack and saw minimal precipitation. However, even average snowpack combined with storm events can lead to elevated stream flows, as the Flathead Basin in western Montana saw this week.

  • Missouri River upper basin runoff forecast lowered due to dry conditions

    The updated 2026 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average. April runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.5 million acre-feet, 51% of average. The 2026 calendar year runoff forecast above Sioux City is 17.1 MAF, 67% of average. The runoff forecast is based on current soil moisture conditions, mountain snowpack, and long-term precipitation and temperature outlooks.

  • Spring fish operations begin on Snake, Columbia rivers

    Spring fish passage operations began April 3 at federal dams on the lower Snake River and will begin April 10 on the lower Columbia River.

  • Dry March leads to reduction in annual basin runoff forecast

    The updated 2026 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average. March runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 1.7 million acre-feet, 56% of average.

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