Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Bear Lake County, ID

October 26, 2026

Bear Lake County Water Intelligence Brief

October 26, 2026 | Bear River Basin

*Free-Tier Edition*

Situation Summary

Bear River flows through Bear Lake County are low for this point in the autumn but show a rising trend across multiple gauges, suggesting recent precipitation is beginning to register in the basin's drainage network. Irrigation season is effectively closed for most operations, and the system is transitioning into its fall and winter recharge phase — meaning current streamflow conditions have limited direct operational impact on irrigators this week. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Mountain snowpack across the Bear River Basin is at or near normal for late October — though the context for 2026 is important: most stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date following the anomalous March heat wave, which had significant consequences for spring and early summer water supply.

Current SNOTEL readings as of October 25, 2026:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.1", snow depth 1.0" — trace accumulation present, consistent with early-season conditions
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.1", snow depth 0.0" — trace SWE with no measurable depth recorded
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", snow depth 2.0" — shallow snow on the ground but no measurable water equivalent yet
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0" — no accumulation
  • Giveout: SWE 0.0", snow depth 1.0" — minimal snow present, no measurable SWE
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0" — no accumulation
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0" (0% of 0.9" median), snow depth 0.0" — this is the one station showing a percent-of-median figure, indicating it is currently below the median SWE for this date
  • Tony Grove Lake: Data collection issues — no reading available

    • For all stations showing 0.0" SWE with no percent-of-median figure, the median SWE for this date is also 0.0", meaning those stations reflect normal seasonal conditions for late October — not a below-normal signal. USU Doc Daniel is the exception, sitting below its 0.9" median. Early-season snowpack is highly variable and not yet a reliable indicator of spring 2027 water supply.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Multiple Bear River Basin gauges are registering rising flows as of October 26, likely reflecting recent precipitation moving through the system. Flows remain low in absolute terms consistent with the post-irrigation season period.

    Current USGS gauge readings:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 78 cfs, rising — upper basin inflow to the system is increasing
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 37 cfs, rising — in-county mainstem flow in Bear Lake County is low but trending upward
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 883 cfs, rising — significantly higher downstream flow reflects cumulative tributary and storage release contributions through the lower basin
  • Blacksmith Fork ab Up and L Co.'s Dam nr Hyrum, UT: 52 cfs, stable — this Cache Valley tributary is holding steady
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 40 cfs, rising — lower basin tributary showing upward movement
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 92 cfs, rising — Cache Valley's Logan River is responding to recent precipitation
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs — this reading is dated May 15 and should not be interpreted as a current condition; treat as a data gap

    • The widespread rising trend across gauges from Wyoming to northern Utah suggests a basin-scale precipitation response. The Pescadero gauge — the most directly relevant to Bear Lake County irrigators — at 37 cfs rising is within the range expected for this time of year.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Idaho Department of Water Resources Eastern Regional Office in Pocatello ((208) 525-7161) to verify your water right status and any administrative conditions heading into the off-season.
  • Reach out to PacifiCorp's Bear River system operations team or the Bear River Commission for current Bear Lake storage conditions and anticipated winter operating targets.
  • Check NRCS Utah and Idaho SNOTEL monitoring pages through November and December for early indicators of how the 2026–2027 snowpack season is developing relative to median.
  • Contact your local irrigation district or canal company to confirm end-of-season maintenance schedules and any early-season 2027 delivery planning meetings.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 25, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 26, 2026

    Data Current As Of: Reporting reflects conditions as of the dates noted above. 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.

    Other Issues

    Bear Lake County Brief — October 19, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — October 12, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — October 5, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — September 28, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — September 21, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — September 14, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — September 7, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — August 31, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — August 24, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — August 17, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — August 10, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — August 3, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — July 27, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — July 20, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — July 13, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — July 6, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 29, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 22, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 15, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 8, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — June 1, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — May 26, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — May 15, 2026Bear Lake County Brief — April 28, 2026

    Stay Updated

    Water intelligence, delivered.

    Free seasonal updates on water conditions across the Mountain West.

    Free · Delivered when reports publish