Water Intelligence Brief — Bear Lake County, ID

June 22, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin stations serving Bear Lake County has effectively reached seasonal meltout, with nearly all SNOTEL stations reading 0.0" SWE as of June 21 — a condition that arrived 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date due to the anomalous March heat wave across the Mountain West. Streamflow conditions are mixed, with the Bear River at Pescadero showing elevated and rising flows while downstream and tributary gauges trend lower. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

As of June 21, 2026, snowpack across the Bear River Basin SNOTEL network is at or near complete seasonal meltout. Seven of eight monitored stations report 0.0" snow water equivalent (SWE):

For stations reporting 0.0" SWE, this reflects normal seasonal meltout for late June — the median SWE for this calendar date at these locations is also 0.0", so these readings do not indicate below-normal conditions relative to today's date. The critical story is timing: these stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, meaning the spring snowmelt pulse that recharges streamflows and reservoir storage ran earlier in the season than usual.

Franklin Basin, Giveout, and USU Doc Daniel show residual snow depth with minimal or modest SWE, indicating patchy late-season snow that is unlikely to contribute meaningful additional runoff. Tony Grove Lake's 1.0" depth with 0.0" SWE reflects wet, dense residual snowpack with negligible water content remaining. The snowpack contribution to streamflow for the remainder of the season should be considered largely exhausted across the basin.

Streamflow Conditions

Seven USGS gauges provide coverage across the Bear River Basin as of June 22, 2026:

The most notable reading is the Bear River at Pescadero at 1,550 cfs and rising, which stands in sharp contrast to the falling trend at the upstream Border, WY gauge (134 cfs) and the downstream Corinne, UT gauge (222 cfs). This divergence likely reflects reservoir operations or tributary inflows between the gauging points, though no causal confirmation is available in the current data set. Water managers relying on Bear River mainstem deliveries through the Pescadero reach should monitor this gauge closely, as the rising trend may reflect managed releases rather than natural runoff.

The tributary network tells a consistent story of declining late-season flows: Logan River, Little Bear River, and Blacksmith Fork are all at modest levels, with Logan River and Little Bear River on falling trends. The Malad River near Bear River City reading of 6 cfs is dated May 15 and should be treated as a data gap — current conditions at that gauge are unknown and users should verify directly with USGS.

With snowmelt largely complete and tributary flows declining across the system, Bear River Basin streamflow for the remainder of the irrigation season will depend primarily on reservoir releases and any precipitation events rather than continued natural snowmelt contribution.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 21, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 22, 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.