Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Bear Lake County, ID

August 24, 2026

Water Intelligence Brief

Bear Lake County, ID | August 24, 2026

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin has fully melted out at virtually all SNOTEL stations, with the 2026 season characterized by meltout occurring 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date due to an anomalous March heat wave. Streamflows reflect this late-summer baseline, with the Bear River system showing a mix of stable and falling conditions across monitored gauges. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations serving the Bear River Basin are reporting at or near zero snow water equivalent (SWE) as of August 23, 2026 — consistent with normal late-August conditions when the seasonal median SWE is also 0.0":

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.2", Depth 1.0" *(trace residual snow remaining)*
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE 0.4", Depth 0.0" *(trace residual SWE with no measurable depth)*
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"

    • The trace readings at Emigrant Summit and Giveout are not operationally significant. The critical supply signal for 2026 is not today's snowpack — it is that basin snowpack melted out 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median meltout date. That early meltout has already moved through the system; current streamflows reflect that reality.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Seven USGS gauges provide coverage across the Bear River Basin, with data current through August 24, 2026:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 58 cfs — *falling*. Modest inflow from the upper watershed entering the basin from Wyoming.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 883 cfs — *stable*. The highest reading in the network; this gauge captures flow at a key mid-basin point and reflects storage releases and tributary contributions upstream of Bear Lake.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 200 cfs — *falling*. Downstream outlet flows are declining, reflecting reduced outflow from the Bear Lake / lower basin system.
  • Blacksmith Fork ab Up and L Co.'s Dam nr Hyrum, UT: 50 cfs — *stable*. A southern tributary gauge showing steady late-season baseflow.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 16 cfs — *falling* (as of 08/23). Low late-season flow on this southern tributary.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 66 cfs — *falling* (as of 08/22). Declining flows consistent with late-summer conditions and no snowmelt contribution.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs — data current only through 05/15. This gauge reading is significantly dated and should not be used for current operational planning; contact USGS or Idaho Department of Water Resources for updated status.

    • The falling trend at multiple gauges — Border, Corinne, Little Bear River, and Logan River — is the dominant signal. The high reading at Pescadero warrants monitoring as a positive indicator for near-term Bear Lake tributary inflow, but the overall basin trajectory is declining as the irrigation season advances into late August without snowmelt support.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Idaho Department of Water Resources Eastern Regional Office (Pocatello, (208) 525-7161) to check current Bear River Groundwater Management Area conditions and any active water right administration notices affecting Bear Lake County users.
  • Check with PacifiCorp / Bear River Commission for current Bear Lake storage operations and release scheduling, as Bear Lake is the primary regional multi-year storage facility governing late-season supply for the basin.
  • Reach out to your local irrigation district or ditch company to confirm current delivery schedules and any anticipated adjustments as flows at multiple gauges continue falling through late August.
  • Monitor the NRCS Idaho SNOTEL network (wcc.nrcs.usda.gov) through early fall for first indications of new-season snowpack accumulation, which will provide the first signal for 2027 supply outlook.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 23, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 24, 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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    Bear Lake County ID Water Report — August 24, 2026 | Wai AI