04/12/06 Flood potential in Magic Valley, Bannock

04/12/06 Flood potential in Magic Valley, Bannock

The norm the past five or six years has been a lack of water in the Magic Reservoir. Now there's a possibility of a flood because the reservoir is near full capacity. Lincoln County commissioners declared a state of emergency Monday and with the expected inflows to the reservoir the water could top the spillway later today or tomorrow. Gooding County disaster services coordinator Lori Capps says residents have taken this threat seriously. If the Magic Reservoir overflows the water will go south through the Big Wood and Little Wood rivers toward Shoshone and Gooding. Capps says the runoff water coming into the reservoir is from the recent rains and with the snow melt yet to come she anticipates an ongoing problem in the weeks ahead. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Portneuf River in Bannock County. Minor flooding is possible along the river and in Pocatello with mild temperatures and spring snow melt. The weather service said yesterday that the Portneuf is expected to remain near flood stage through the end of the week. There's better news from eastern Oregon where the Malheur and Owyhee rivers have already caused some minor flooding of agricultural land. The Owyhee River below the dam is expected to fall somewhat today and the Malheur has already receded somewhat after minor flooding near Vale. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott
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