Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Box Elder County, UT

June 29, 2026

Box Elder County Water Intelligence Brief

June 29, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin has completed its seasonal melt, with SNOTEL stations melting out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date following an anomalous March heat wave. Streamflows on the Bear River system are currently moderate, though the early meltout means the basin's snowmelt-driven pulse has already passed, placing greater weight on stored water and base flows for the remainder of the irrigation season. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations reporting for the Bear River Basin show snowpack at or near zero as of June 28, 2026, consistent with full seasonal meltout:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.1", snow depth 0.0"
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.6", snow depth 1.0" — the only station retaining measurable SWE and depth
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE 0.3", snow depth 0.0"
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", depth not available
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", snow depth 3.0" — depth reading with zero SWE suggests residual compacted or shaded snow with no liquid water equivalent

    • For this calendar date, a median SWE of 0.0" is normal at most stations — the concern is not today's reading but the timing: meltout occurred 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median, meaning the snowmelt contribution to streamflows and reservoir refill concluded well ahead of schedule. Franklin Basin's 0.6" SWE and 1.0" depth represent the only remaining snowpack in the network and are minimal in the context of basin-wide supply.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Bear River Basin gauges show a mixed picture as of June 29, 2026:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 138 cfs (stable) — modest inflow entering the system from Wyoming headwaters
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,520 cfs (stable) — the highest reading in the network, reflecting accumulated basin flow through Idaho; this gauge captures the bulk of Bear River mainstem volume before it enters Utah
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 492 cfs (rising) — the primary delivery gauge for Box Elder County agricultural diversions; the rising trend warrants monitoring as it may reflect reservoir releases, return flows, or short-term upstream variation rather than new snowmelt input
  • Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Company's Dam near Hyrum, UT: 59 cfs (stable) — a tributary contributing to the lower Bear River system
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 21 cfs (stable) — low but stable tributary flow
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 153 cfs (stable) — moderate tributary contribution from the Logan River system
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs — note this reading is dated May 15 and should be treated with caution; current conditions may differ

    • The Bear River near Corinne at 492 cfs and rising is the figure most directly relevant to Box Elder County irrigators diverting from the lower Bear River mainstem. The large spread between the Pescadero reading (1,520 cfs) and the Corinne reading (492 cfs) reflects upstream storage operations and diversions through Idaho and Cache Valley that reduce mainstem flows before reaching Box Elder County.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Bear River Canal Company to confirm current delivery schedules and any announced adjustments to diversion operations for the remainder of the irrigation season.
  • Check current storage status for Bear Lake and Cutler Reservoir with the Bear River Commission and PacifiCorp (FERC license P-20), as these facilities are the primary multi-year and run-of-river storage resources governing late-season Bear River flows into Box Elder County.
  • Monitor the USGS Bear River near Corinne gauge (available at waterdata.usgs.gov) for changes in the current rising trend, which will directly affect available diversion volumes for lower-valley irrigators.
  • Contact the Utah Division of Water Rights (waterrights.utah.gov) to verify current water rights administration status and any active priority calls on the Bear River system.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 28, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 29, 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.

    Other Issues

    Box Elder County Brief — August 3, 2026Box Elder County Brief — July 27, 2026Box Elder County Brief — July 20, 2026Box Elder County Brief — July 13, 2026Box Elder County Brief — July 6, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 22, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 15, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 8, 2026Box Elder County Brief — June 1, 2026Box Elder County Brief — May 26, 2026Box Elder County Brief — May 15, 2026Box Elder County Brief — April 26, 2026

    Stay Updated

    Water intelligence, delivered.

    Free seasonal updates on water conditions across the Mountain West.

    Free · Delivered when reports publish