Bear Lake County Water Intelligence Brief

September 7, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Bear River flows are falling across the basin, with the mainstem at Pescadero recording 775 cfs and declining — a signal that late-season supply tightening is underway for irrigators still drawing from the river. With snowpack fully melted out at virtually every monitoring station and no new water entering storage from the upper watershed, delivery reliability will depend entirely on remaining reservoir carryover and current river flows through the close of the irrigation season. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations monitoring the Bear River Basin above Bear Lake County are at or near zero snow water equivalent (SWE), consistent with normal late-summer conditions for early September. No meaningful snowpack remains to contribute additional inflow to the Bear River system this season.

| Station | SWE | Snow Depth |

|---|---|---|

| Bear River RS | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Emigrant Summit | 0.2" | 1.0" |

| Franklin Basin | 0.0" | 2.0" |

| Garden City Summit | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Giveout | 0.4" | 0.0" |

| Slug Creek Divide | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Tony Grove Lake | 0.0" | 2.0" |

| USU Doc Daniel | 0.0" | 0.0" |

The trace readings at Emigrant Summit (0.2" SWE) and Giveout (0.4" SWE) are negligible at this point in the season and will not produce meaningful runoff. Several stations show residual snow depth figures without measurable SWE — a common instrument artifact in late summer, not an indication of usable snowpack. As background context, the 2026 snowpack melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date across the basin, meaning that peak runoff contribution occurred well ahead of schedule earlier this season. No additional snowmelt-driven supply should be anticipated for the remainder of the 2026 irrigation season.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River flows are declining across multiple points in the system, reflecting the end-of-season pattern typical for early September with no remaining snowmelt input.

Bear River at Border, WY: 45 cfs, falling. This upstream entry point into the Bear River system is running at low late-season levels, indicating minimal inflow arriving from Wyoming headwaters.

Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 775 cfs, falling. This is the primary in-basin gauge for Bear Lake County irrigators and represents the most operationally relevant flow reading. The falling trend warrants close attention for users with late-season diversion needs.

Bear River near Corinne, UT: 239 cfs, falling. Downstream flows reflect significant diversions occurring between Pescadero and the lower basin — normal for an active irrigation season, but the declining trend confirms system-wide late-season tightening.

Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Companies' Dam near Hyrum, UT: 52 cfs, stable. This tributary is holding relatively steady, providing some consistency to the lower Bear River system.

Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 28 cfs, stable. Minor tributary contribution, stable, no immediate concern.

Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 66 cfs, stable. Another tributary holding steady; contributes to the broader Bear River system below the county.

Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs, with data from May 15. This reading is significantly lagged and should not be relied upon for current operational decisions — users dependent on Malad River contributions should seek current data directly from USGS or the local water district.

Overall, the system picture is one of falling mainstem flows with stable but modest tributary contributions. The Pescadero gauge at 775 cfs and falling is the key number for Bear Lake County irrigators to monitor in the days ahead.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 6, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 7, 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.