IDACORP, Inc. (IDACORP) had generated 6900 gigawatt hour (GWh) of electricity from its hydro power assets in 2008 in the state of Idaho, an increase of 11.3% from 6200 GWh generated in 2007. The output level was very close to the final guidance given in the fourth quarter of 2008, when giving the third quarter results. By the end of 2008, the company repeated its forecast that full year hydro power generation would be about 7,000 GWh.

Better river flow estimates helped in increasing the estimated target from the early range of 6500 GWh-7500 GWh to 6700 GWh-7200 GWh.

The initial forecast for hydro power generation in 2009 is between 6500 GWh-8500 GWh. The estimate is based on the 2008-09 snowfall at Snake River Basin. The snowfall was 77% of average levels. At the same time, reservoir levels were about 10% higher than normal.

Poor snowfall in 2007 made the company estimate that it may not have hydro output levels as high as the previous year. 2008’s snowfall is an improvement over 2007.