Bear Lake County, ID — Water Intelligence Brief

October 12, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Bear River flows at the Border, WY entry point are running at 58 cfs and rising, while the Pescadero, ID gauge reads 40 cfs stable — conditions that signal adequate but modest late-season supply for Bear Lake County irrigators as the 2026 growing season winds down. With October irrigation demands diminishing and most crop water needs met for the year, current flow levels pose limited near-term operational risk, though water managers should monitor the rising trend at Border for any downstream delivery implications. 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 October 11, 2026 — a condition that is normal for this point in the calendar year, not indicative of a current deficit. When no percent-of-median figure is shown alongside a 0.0" reading, it means the historical median SWE for that date is also 0.0", confirming stations are at expected seasonal baseline.

Station readings (October 11, 2026):

The USU Doc Daniel station is the only one reporting a percent-of-median figure — 0% of a 0.1" median — which at this marginal threshold does not constitute a meaningful below-normal signal. Depth readings of 1.0" at Franklin Basin, Garden City Summit, and Emigrant Summit likely reflect early light snowfall that has not yet produced measurable SWE, or residual surface material.

As background context: the 2026 water year was defined by an anomalous March heat wave that drove snowpack meltout 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date across the Mountain West. That early-season event shaped spring and summer runoff patterns; it is not a current snowpack story as of mid-October.

The operational snowpack story begins anew with November accumulation. Water managers should begin benchmarking early-season SNOTEL readings as they develop over the coming weeks.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River Basin gauges present a mixed but generally stable picture as of October 12, 2026, with some rising signals worth monitoring.

Gauge readings:

The rising trend appearing simultaneously at Border, WY, Corinne, UT, and Little Bear River, UT may reflect recent precipitation events moving through the basin. Bear Lake County irrigators with late-season diversions should confirm current delivery status with their ditch company or water district, as modest flow increases can affect allocation and priority administration at this stage of the season.

The Pescadero gauge's stable 40 cfs reading represents the most locally relevant Bear Lake County mainstem indicator and suggests no immediate supply disruption for in-county users.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 11, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 12, 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.