Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Bear Lake County, ID

August 10, 2026

Bear Lake County, ID — Water Intelligence Brief

August 10, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Bear Lake County enters mid-August with snowpack fully melted out across all SNOTEL monitoring stations, consistent with the 2026 pattern of melt occurring 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date — meaning this season's runoff pulse concluded significantly earlier than normal. Streamflow on the Bear River system reflects that earlier transition, with mixed signals across the basin's gauges. 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 at or near zero snow water equivalent (SWE) as of August 9, 2026 — which is the expected seasonal condition for this date. Because the median SWE for each of these stations in mid-August is also 0.0", no below-normal language is warranted based on current readings alone. The meaningful story for 2026 is timing: meltout occurred 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date basin-wide, driven by the anomalous March heat wave that accelerated runoff into April and early May rather than the typical May–June peak.

Station-by-station summary:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.2", Snow Depth 0.0" *(trace reading; anomalous instrument artifact likely — no operational snowpack)*
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 1.0" *(residual depth reading with zero SWE indicates dense, settled material or instrument artifact; no available water content)*
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE N/A, Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"

    • No snowmelt contribution to streamflow should be expected from the basin's upper elevations at this point in the season. Summer flows are now driven entirely by groundwater baseflow, storage releases, and any precipitation events.

    Streamflow Conditions

    The Bear River system presents a notably varied picture across its monitoring network as of August 10, 2026.

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 59 cfs (stable) — The uppermost gauge on the system reflects modest but stable inflow entering Idaho from Wyoming. This reading represents the upstream starting point for the Bear River before reservoir regulation and downstream tributary contributions.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,030 cfs (stable) — This is the dominant gauge for Bear Lake County agricultural users and the most operationally significant reading in the network. Flows at Pescadero reflect Bear Lake storage operations and downstream releases managed under the Bear River Commission framework. At 1,030 cfs stable, this gauge indicates active reservoir-influenced delivery volume — a substantially higher reading than the upstream Border gauge, reflecting storage release operations rather than natural runoff alone.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 150 cfs (falling) — The downstream terminus gauge on the Bear River mainstem is declining, a signal worth monitoring as the irrigation season continues.
  • Blacksmith Fork ab Upper and Lower Canal Dam nr Hyrum, UT: 46 cfs (stable) — A tributary system gauge reflecting stable late-season conditions on this Cache County tributary.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 15 cfs (falling) — Data current as of August 6; the falling trend on this tributary warrants attention as late-season demand continues.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 72 cfs (falling) — Also current as of August 6 with a falling trend, consistent with typical late-season baseflow recession on this tributary system.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs — Data current as of May 15, 2026; this reading is significantly dated and should not be used for current operational planning without verification.

    • The contrast between the high-volume, stable Pescadero reading and the falling trends at Corinne, Little Bear River, and Logan River suggests that active storage operations are currently sustaining mainstem Bear River volumes in the county reach, while tributary systems are entering late-season recession. The Malad River gauge data gap represents a monitoring blind spot.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact PacifiCorp's Bear Lake operations team and the Bear River Commission to obtain current Bear Lake storage status and anticipated release scheduling through the end of the irrigation season.
  • Check with the Idaho Department of Water Resources Eastern Regional Office in Pocatello regarding any active water right administration actions or curtailment notices in the Bear River Groundwater Management Area.
  • Contact your local irrigation district or ditch company to confirm delivery schedules and any anticipated reductions given the falling trends observed at downstream gauges.
  • Monitor USGS National Water Information System (waterdata.usgs.gov) for updated readings at Bear River at Pescadero and Bear River near Corinne as the primary operational gauges for the county reach.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 9, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 10, 2026

    Data Current As Of: August 10, 2026. Note: Little Bear River at Paradise and Logan River above State Dam data current as of August 6, 2026. Malad River near Bear River City data current as of May 15, 2026 — treat as outdated for operational purposes.

    Contact: Idaho Department of Water Resources, Eastern Regional Office, Pocatello — (208) 525-7161 — for Bear River basin water rights administration and Bear River Groundwater Management Area inquiries.

    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. This brief does not constitute legal, regulatory, or water rights advice.

    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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    Bear Lake County ID Water Report — August 10, 2026 | Wai AI