Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Bear Lake County, ID

June 15, 2026

Bear Lake County Water Intelligence Brief

June 15, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin watersheds serving Bear Lake County has fully melted out, with all SNOTEL stations reporting 0.0" SWE — a condition consistent with normal seasonal timing for mid-June, though this year's meltout occurred 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date. Streamflows in the Bear River system are mixed, with the mainstem showing substantial volume at mid-basin gauges while upper and lower tributary readings reflect the post-peak seasonal transition. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion rate analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations in the Bear River Basin monitoring network are reporting 0.0" snow water equivalent (SWE) and 0.0" snow depth as of June 14, 2026. This includes Bear River RS, Franklin Basin, Garden City Summit, Slug Creek Divide, Tony Grove Lake, and USU Doc Daniel — all at 0.0" SWE — along with Emigrant Summit (0.1" SWE) and Giveout (0.3" SWE), which retain trace amounts.

Important framing note: Because the median SWE for these stations at this point in the calendar is also 0.0", the readings do not indicate below-normal conditions relative to mid-June norms. The critical signal for 2026 is *meltout timing*, not current SWE magnitude. This season's snowpack melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date — meaning the pulse of snowmelt-driven streamflow that normally extends into late June or early July arrived and passed significantly earlier than usual. The practical consequence for Bear Lake County irrigators is that snowmelt-sustained flows have already transitioned to baseflow-dominated conditions earlier in the season than most years, compressing the window of peak water availability.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River Basin streamflow presents a sharply varied picture across the gauge network as of June 15, 2026:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 156 cfs, falling. Upper watershed inflows are declining, consistent with the post-meltout transition to lower baseflow conditions upstream.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,220 cfs, rising. This mid-basin reading — the gauge most directly relevant to Bear Lake County operations — shows substantially elevated flows, likely reflecting regulated releases and basin accumulation between the Border gauge and Pescadero. The rising trend warrants monitoring.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 498 cfs, rising. Lower basin flows remain meaningful but substantially reduced from the mid-basin Pescadero reading, reflecting diversions and system losses through the central Bear River corridor.
  • Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Dam near Hyrum, UT: 60 cfs, stable. This tributary is holding steady, providing a reliable contribution to the lower system.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 25 cfs, falling. Lower tributary inflows are declining, consistent with the post-meltout seasonal pattern.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 206 cfs, falling. The Logan River — a significant Bear River tributary — is also in decline following the early meltout.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs (reading from May 15, 2026). This gauge has not reported a current reading; the available figure is approximately one month old and should not be treated as representative of present conditions. Irrigators relying on Malad River contributions should contact the appropriate gauge authority for current data.

    • The overall basin picture is one of mid-to-late-season streamflow character arriving several weeks earlier than historical norms. The elevated Pescadero reading stands out and may reflect storage operations — users dependent on Bear River diversions should monitor this gauge closely for any shifts in the rising trend.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Idaho Department of Water Resources Eastern Regional Office (Pocatello, (208) 525-7161) to verify current water right priority status and confirm whether any Bear River basin curtailments or delivery scheduling changes are in effect given the early meltout timing.
  • Check with PacifiCorp and the Bear River Commission for current Bear Lake storage operations, release schedules, and any updates to seasonal operating plans for Bear Lake (FERC license P-20) and Montpelier Reservoir.
  • Monitor the USGS National Water Information System (waterdata.usgs.gov) for the Bear River at Pescadero gauge and Logan River gauge, both of which are showing active trend changes that may affect mid-season diversion reliability.
  • Contact your local irrigation district or ditch company to confirm delivery scheduling for July and August, given that the early meltout has accelerated the seasonal supply transition and late-season baseflow conditions may arrive ahead of typical scheduling assumptions.

    • Subscribe for the full brief including reservoir storage, weather forecasts, depletion analysis, and detailed operational recommendations.

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 14, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 15, 2026

    Data Current As Of: Idaho Department of Water Resources (Eastern Regional Office in Pocatello, (208) 525-7161, for Bear River basin counties)

    Important Disclaimers: This brief provides automated analysis for informational purposes only. Specific numerical claims have not been independently verified. Consult official sources including your local water district, PacifiCorp/Bear River Commission (for Bear Lake storage operations) and local irrigation districts for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.

    Data & Disclaimers

    Sources: NRCS SNOTEL network · USGS National Water Information System · National Weather Service

    This brief provides automated analysis for informational purposes only. Consult official sources including your local water district and state Division of Water Rights for regulatory decisions. This document does not constitute legal, regulatory, or engineering advice.

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