EASTERN IDAHO - Snowpacks in Eastern Idaho are around 60% of normal.

If we don't get more snow before winter ends, there will likely be water shortages.

"It's going to be a challenge this year because we're going to be short on water," said Jeff Raybould, a Madison County farmer.

Jeff Raybould is a second generation farmer, and he's seen what can happen when low snowpacks are followed by a dry summer.

"First year that I farmed was 1977 which was the worst severe drought at least in my lifetime," say Raybould.

If Eastern Idaho gets a dry summer this year, farmers are going to have to make some tough decisions and even possibly let some crops die.

"If there isn't adequate water for irrigation, people will have to let their lesser valuable crops suffer later in the season. For instance, people with alfalfa won't get their third cutting of alfalfa," said Raybould.

Water supply for 2010 isn't exactly set in stone yet, but so far it's the sixth leanest winter in the last 50 years for the snake basin.

"Statistically February and March are the heaviest snowfall months. But that I mean we get the snow with the heaviest water content. The possibility exists we'll still get a lot of snow. Now will the snowpack get back to normal? Probably not, we'll have to work real hard to get 100% snowpack this season," said Meteorologist Steve Cannon.

While there is good reservoir carryover storage from last year, the Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report says that all water users should prepare for the possibility of water shortages.