The outlook for water available for hydroelectric generation in the Pacific Northwest this summer was dropped in late December by U.S. government forecasters, who indicated that water available at the Dalles Hydroelectric Dam on the Columbia River between January and July will likely be 75% of normal. However, the day the report was issued (Dec. 27), a heavy rain and snow storm was pounding the area.

In its second forecast of the year, the Northwest River Forecast Center said that its outlook was 2% lower than a forecast made just a week earlier. The “early bird” January forecast estimates inflows to the Mica reservoir in British Columbia from January to July, which forecasters believe will be 88% of normal, which is unchanged from the last report. Water available for hydro generation at the Grand Coulee Dam for January through July is likely to be 80% of normal, however, which is 2% lower than the previous guidance.

Snowfall has been below normal this season in the Northwest — although a foot of new snow was pounding the Cascades last Friday, which may change the picture somewhat. A drought that limited the availability of hydroelectric power related to the West’s electricity crisis during 2000 and 2001 has contributed to the low water situation, said forecasters. Preliminary numbers from the forecast center indicate water flows on major rivers in the Pacific Northwest will be in a range nearly identical to that between December 2000 and for the 2001 winter.

The next forecast is scheduled to be released on Thursday (Jan. 9).

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