Bear Lake County Water Intelligence Brief

September 21, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Bear River flows through the basin show a split picture this week: the mainstem at Pescadero, ID is running at 379 cfs and falling, while readings at Border, WY and near Corinne, UT are rising, signaling active movement through the system but declining local availability for late-season irrigators in the county's primary delivery reach. With the irrigation season winding toward close, producers should monitor Pescadero trends closely as declining flows may compress the remaining window for final alfalfa cuttings and livestock watering. 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, which is entirely normal for late September — the historical median SWE for this date is also 0.0" at these elevations. The 2026 seasonal story is one of timing: stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout is now background context, not an active supply driver.

Station readings as of September 20, 2026:

The trace readings at Emigrant Summit and Giveout are not operationally significant. Franklin Basin's 2.0" snow depth with 0.0" SWE likely reflects early-season frost or granular material rather than meaningful snowpack. No snowmelt-driven streamflow contribution should be expected from any basin station at this time.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River Basin gauges present a mixed directional picture as of September 21, 2026:

The Pescadero gauge — the most directly relevant to Bear Lake County delivery conditions — is falling at 379 cfs, indicating declining local supply in the primary irrigation reach. The rising signals at Border (upstream) and Corinne (downstream) suggest system-level variability that may reflect storage operations or tributary inputs further in the network rather than a recovery in local flows. The Malad River reading of 6 cfs is stale (May 15) and should not be used for current operational decisions. Irrigators should treat Pescadero as the primary real-time indicator and verify directly with their delivery district.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 20, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 21, 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.