Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Bear Lake County, ID

June 29, 2026

Bear Lake County, ID — Water Intelligence Brief

June 29, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin headlands serving Bear Lake County has completed its seasonal melt, with SNOTEL stations recording at or near 0.0" SWE — a condition consistent with normal late-June baselines, though this year's meltout arrived 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date due to the anomalous March heat event. Streamflow on the Bear River system reflects this early transition, with mainstem flows currently stable at levels that warrant close monitoring as peak irrigation demand continues through July and August. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations in the Bear River Basin reporting for Bear Lake County show meltout is complete or nearly complete as of June 28, 2026:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.1", snow depth 0.0"
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.6", snow depth 1.0" — the lone station still carrying measurable snowpack
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE 0.3", snow depth 0.0"
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", depth not reported
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", snow depth 3.0" — depth reading with zero SWE reflects settled, depleted pack

    • Where stations show 0.0" SWE, no percent-of-median is applicable — the historical median SWE for this date is also 0.0", meaning these readings reflect normal end-of-season conditions at the station level. The critical signal for 2026 is not current SWE deficit but meltout timing: the basin melted out 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median meltout date, meaning the snowmelt pulse that typically supports streamflows and storage fill into mid-July was compressed into late April and May. Franklin Basin's residual 0.6" SWE and 1.0" snow depth offer no meaningful remaining melt contribution at this stage of the season.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Seven USGS gauges across the Bear River Basin provide current streamflow context as of June 29, 2026:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 138 cfs — stable. Reflects upper basin inflow entering the Idaho system.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,520 cfs — stable. The primary mainstem reference point for Bear Lake County; flows at this level reflect accumulated tributary and storage inputs moving through the system.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 492 cfs — rising. The rising trend at this downstream Utah gauge warrants monitoring; outflows from Bear Lake or operational changes upstream may be contributing.
  • Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Companies' Dam near Hyrum, UT: 59 cfs — stable. A tributary indicator for the broader Cache/Bear system.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 21 cfs — stable. Low but stable flow on this tributary.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 153 cfs — stable. Reflects Cache Valley tributary conditions.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs — most recent reading from May 15; current conditions at this gauge are unknown and should not be relied upon for operational planning without updated data.

    • The gap between the upper mainstem reading at Pescadero (1,520 cfs) and the downstream Corinne reading (492 cfs) reflects diversions, storage operations, and consumptive use occurring across the Utah reach of the system. With snowmelt no longer contributing meaningfully to flows, the system is transitioning toward a baseflow and storage-release regime. The rising trend at Corinne should be tracked in coming days to determine whether it reflects a temporary operational release or a sustained change.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Idaho Department of Water Resources Eastern Regional Office (Pocatello, (208) 525-7161) to verify current water right call status and delivery scheduling for the Bear River basin under the early-melt conditions of 2026.
  • Check with PacifiCorp's Bear River System operations team and the Bear River Commission for current Bear Lake storage status and projected release schedules affecting downstream agricultural deliveries.
  • Contact your local irrigation district or canal company to confirm current delivery schedules, diversion capacities, and any announced adjustments to rotation or proration for the remainder of the irrigation season.
  • Monitor updates from the NRCS Idaho Water Supply Outlook program for any revised seasonal streamflow volume forecasts issued for the Bear River Basin through the summer.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 28, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 29, 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.

    Other Issues

    Bear Lake County Brief — August 3, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — July 27, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — July 20, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — July 13, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — July 6, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 22, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 15, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 8, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 1, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — May 26, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — May 15, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — April 28, 2026

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    Bear Lake County ID Water Report — June 29, 2026 | Wai AI