Water Intelligence Brief

Box Elder County, UT

June 8, 2026

Box Elder County Water Intelligence Brief

June 8, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin has melted out, with nearly all SNOTEL stations at or near zero SWE as of June 7 — a seasonal condition that arrived 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median meltout date due to an anomalous March heat event. Streamflows on the Bear River system are actively falling at most gauges, signaling the transition from snowmelt-driven runoff to base-flow conditions earlier than typical. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and canal delivery outlooks are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations monitoring the Bear River Basin headwaters show snowpack has effectively melted out as of June 7, 2026.

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.1", snow depth 0.0"
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE 0.2", snow depth 1.0" — the only station retaining any measurable snowpack
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0" (0% of 0.4" median), snow depth 0.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0" (0% of 5.8" median), snow depth 0.0"

    • For the two stations reporting a percent-of-median figure — Tony Grove Lake and USU Doc Daniel — current SWE is at 0% of their respective June medians, confirming those locations have melted out ahead of their normal seasonal timeline. The key 2026 signal is not anomalously low snowpack today, but rather the timing: meltout occurred 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the runoff window and reducing the duration of peak streamflow contributions to Bear River diversions.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Seven USGS gauges provide real-time streamflow data across the Bear River Basin relevant to Box Elder County agricultural users.

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 216 cfs, falling (June 8)
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,100 cfs, rising (June 8)
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 310 cfs, falling (June 8)
  • Blacksmith Fork ab. Upper and Lower Co.'s Dam nr. Hyrum, UT: 64 cfs, stable (June 8)
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 27 cfs, falling (June 8)
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 274 cfs, falling (June 8)
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs (most recent reading May 15)

    • The Bear River near Corinne — the gauge most directly relevant to lower Bear River diversions serving Box Elder County — reads 310 cfs and is falling. The falling trend at Border, WY and Corinne, UT is consistent with post-meltout base-flow recession. The Pescadero, ID gauge at 1,100 cfs rising is a notable exception and may reflect reservoir operational releases upstream; agricultural users dependent on Bear River Canal Company deliveries should monitor Corinne flows closely as the season progresses. The Malad River near Bear River City shows only 6 cfs with data as of May 15 — users dependent on Malad River contributions should seek updated readings directly from USGS or their canal company.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Bear River Canal Company directly to confirm current delivery schedules and any anticipated flow reductions as the Bear River transitions to base-flow conditions.
  • Check the Utah Division of Water Rights (utahdivisionofwaterrights.utah.gov) for any active water right curtailment orders or administrative actions affecting Bear River diversions in Box Elder County.
  • Contact the Bear River Commission for current operational status of Bear Lake and inter-state Bear River allocation affecting downstream Utah users.
  • Monitor the NRCS Utah Snow Survey office for updated 30-day water supply outlooks as seasonal forecasts shift from snowmelt to precipitation-dependent conditions.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 7, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 8, 2026

    Data Current As Of: Utah Division of Water Rights

    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, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and Utah Division of Water Rights 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.

    Previous Issues

    Box Elder County Brief — June 1, 2026Box Elder County Brief — May 26, 2026Box Elder County Brief — May 15, 2026Box Elder County Brief — April 26, 2026

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