Water Intelligence Brief

Box Elder County, UT — Bear River Basin

July 6, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin has reached its normal seasonal low, with most SNOTEL stations recording 0.0" SWE — however, the defining story of 2026 is that meltout occurred 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the spring runoff window and accelerating the transition to summer irrigation reliance on streamflow and storage. Streamflow at key Bear River gauges reflects this early-melt pattern, with flows now falling at most points in the system as snowmelt contributions wind down. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion rate analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations monitoring the Bear River Basin reported on July 5, 2026. The basin is at its expected mid-summer baseline, with the majority of stations recording 0.0" snow water equivalent (SWE) and 0.0" snow depth — conditions that are normal for this date in the calendar, as median SWE for early July is also 0.0" at these elevations.

| Station | SWE | Snow Depth |

|---|---|---|

| Bear River RS | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Emigrant Summit | 0.2" | 0.0" |

| Franklin Basin | 0.5" | 0.0" |

| Garden City Summit | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Giveout | 0.5" | 0.0" |

| Slug Creek Divide | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Tony Grove Lake | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| USU Doc Daniel | 0.0" | 3.0" |

Two stations — Franklin Basin (0.5") and Giveout (0.5") — retain trace SWE, and USU Doc Daniel reports a snow depth of 3.0" despite 0.0" SWE, suggesting heavily consolidated or granular late-season snow. Emigrant Summit shows 0.2" SWE. These residual readings represent isolated late-lingering patches rather than a meaningful supply signal at this point in the season.

The critical context for 2026 is not today's readings, which are seasonally normal, but timing: these stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date. That early meltout accelerated spring runoff into April and May rather than June and July, meaning the peak recharge window for downstream storage and aquifer systems concluded earlier than typical. Box Elder County irrigators are now fully dependent on existing storage carryover and base streamflows for the remainder of the irrigation season.

Streamflow Conditions

Seven USGS gauges provide coverage of the Bear River system relevant to Box Elder County as of July 6, 2026.

Bear River at Border, WY is reporting 113 cfs and falling — this upper-watershed entry point reflects the diminishing snowmelt contribution from Wyoming headwaters as the season progresses.

Bear River at Pescadero, ID is the highest-volume reading in the network at 1,340 cfs and falling. This gauge captures mid-system Bear River flow through Idaho before the river turns south into Utah and remains the dominant volumetric signal for water moving toward Box Elder County.

Bear River near Corinne, UT — the gauge most directly relevant to Box Elder County agricultural diversions — is reporting 563 cfs and rising. The rising trend at Corinne, occurring while upstream gauges are falling, may reflect reservoir release timing, canal return flows, or tributary contributions entering the system between Pescadero and Corinne. This reading warrants monitoring in coming days.

Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Companies' Dam near Hyrum, UT is at 57 cfs and stable, reflecting steady base flow conditions on this Cache Valley tributary feeding the Bear River system.

Little Bear River at Paradise, UT is at 17 cfs and falling — a smaller tributary system that is declining in keeping with the post-snowmelt seasonal pattern.

Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT is at 107 cfs and falling, consistent with the broader pattern of declining tributary contributions as snowmelt ends.

Malad River near Bear River City, UT has a most recent reading of 6 cfs from May 15 — this reading is now nearly two months old and should be treated as a data gap rather than a current supply signal. Direct inquiries about current Malad River conditions to the Utah Division of Water Resources or local canal companies.

The overall picture across the Bear River network is one of post-peak, declining flows consistent with an early-melt year. The exception is the rising trend at Corinne, which Box Elder County water managers should monitor closely for operational context.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through July 5, 2026; USGS streamflow data through July 6, 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.