National Climatic Data Center, 14 August 2003

• This year marks the first time Howell Canyon, in south central Idaho, has had four consecutive springs with below normal April-June precipitation. Precipitation during these three months is critical for rangelands.
• Snowpack, streamflow, and reservoir conditions in the Oakley Basin were well below average.
• Three-year mean streamflow in the Salmon Falls and Big Lost River basins was at or near record low levels.
• Lake levels at Bear Lake, in southeast Idaho-north central Utah, were near record low levels for the end of July. Idaho state officials estimated that, even pumping Bear Lake water for irrigation, supply would not meet demand and water users would probably be taking a 15-20% cut in their irrigation amounts.
• The governor declared drought emergencies in 5 additional Idaho counties during July and early August.