Bear Lake County Water Intelligence Brief

September 14, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Bear River flows are elevated and rising at the upstream Wyoming border and at Pescadero, ID, signaling active late-summer runoff or reservoir management releases moving through the system — a generally favorable condition for irrigators finishing out the season. Snowpack-driven supply is fully exhausted for the year, so current streamflow trajectories and any remaining storage carryover are the only supply variables that matter between now and season's end. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All monitored SNOTEL stations in the Bear River Basin are reporting at or near zero snow water equivalent (SWE) as of September 13, 2026 — a normal condition for mid-September, when median SWE at these elevations is also 0.0". This is not a below-normal reading; it simply reflects that the snowpack season has ended.

The relevant seasonal context is timing: the 2026 snowpack melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout compressed the spring runoff pulse and reduced the window for reservoir and soil moisture recharge earlier in the season. By mid-September, that chapter is closed.

Station readings (09/13/2026):

The trace readings at Emigrant Summit (0.2" SWE) and Giveout (0.4" SWE) alongside depth readings at Emigrant Summit and Slug Creek Divide (1.0" each) suggest isolated, early-season accumulation at higher elevations — not a meaningful supply signal for current irrigation purposes.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River flows present a mixed but generally workable picture for late-season irrigators, with rising conditions on the upper reaches and stable-to-declining flow on the lower system.

Bear River at Border, WY: 51 cfs, rising. Upper Bear River inflow to the Idaho system is modest but trending upward — a signal worth monitoring for any downstream delivery benefit.

Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,060 cfs, rising. This is the key mid-system gauge for Bear Lake County agricultural users. At over 1,000 cfs and rising, the mainstem is delivering meaningfully above low-water conditions. The rising trend at both Border and Pescadero suggests either active precipitation-driven runoff, operational releases, or both moving through the upper system.

Bear River near Corinne, UT: 215 cfs, stable. Downstream of Bear Lake, the system drops substantially — reflecting Bear Lake operational management and diversions through the Utah reach. The stable reading indicates consistent but reduced throughput at the lower end.

Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Co.'s Dam near Hyrum, UT: 48 cfs, stable. A tributary indicator for the broader basin; stable late-season flow is consistent with normal conditions for mid-September.

Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 23 cfs, falling. The falling trend on this tributary reflects the expected late-season decline as snowmelt and soil moisture contributions are exhausted.

Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 61 cfs, stable. Consistent flow holding at a moderate level for this time of year.

Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs (data as of 05/15). This reading is significantly outdated — May 15 data should not be used for current operational decisions. Current Malad River conditions are unknown from this dataset.

The dominant signal is the strong and rising flow at Pescadero (1,060 cfs), which provides a favorable near-term supply picture for Bear Lake County irrigators drawing from the upper-to-mid Bear River system. The divergence between the rising upper system and the stable/falling lower tributaries is consistent with late-season dynamics where mainstem management and storage operations buffer lower-reach conditions.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 13, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 14, 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.