Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Box Elder County, UT

July 13, 2026

Box Elder County Water Intelligence Brief

Bear River Basin | July 13, 2026 | Free Tier

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin has melted out fully at virtually all SNOTEL stations, with the 2026 season characterized by meltout arriving 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date due to an anomalous March heat wave. Streamflows on the Bear River system are active but trending downward at key gauges, signaling a transition toward late-season irrigation demand conditions. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations reporting within the Bear River Basin show snowpack has effectively concluded for the 2026 season:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.2", snow depth 0.0" — a trace SWE reading with no measurable depth, indicating residual melt at best
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.6", snow depth 1.0" — the lone station showing any meaningful remaining SWE, though at mid-July this represents a very limited and rapidly diminishing remnant
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE not available, snow depth 0.0"
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", snow depth 1.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", snow depth 2.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", snow depth 3.0"

    • For stations showing 0.0" SWE, the median SWE for this date is also 0.0" — these stations are at their normal seasonal condition for mid-July and should not be interpreted as below-normal. The critical 2026 signal is timing: the basin melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, meaning snowmelt-driven streamflow contributions ended earlier than typical. No additional snowmelt recharge is available to replenish streamflows or storage for the remainder of the irrigation season.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Seven USGS gauges provide current flow conditions across the Bear River system:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 81 cfs, falling — upper basin inflow is declining
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,270 cfs, stable — the highest-volume reading in the system, reflecting mid-basin accumulation
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 185 cfs, falling — the gauge most directly relevant to Box Elder County agricultural diversions; falling trend warrants close monitoring
  • Blacksmith Fork ab Up and L Co.'s Dam nr Hyrum, UT: 54 cfs, stable — a tributary contributing to lower Bear River supply
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 15 cfs, stable — modest tributary flow
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 92 cfs, falling — another tributary trending downward
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs (data as of 05/15) — this reading is significantly dated and should not be used for current operational decisions; contact the Utah Division of Water Rights or your local water district for current Malad conditions

    • The falling trend at Corinne — the key mainstem gauge for Box Elder County — combined with falling readings on the Logan River and upper basin, indicates that without snowmelt contribution, flows are transitioning to baseflow and managed release conditions. Box Elder County agriculture relies heavily on direct Bear River diversions through canal companies including the Bear River Canal Company. Users dependent on direct diversions should expect continued flow decline through late summer.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Bear River Canal Company directly to confirm current delivery schedules and any anticipated curtailments for the remainder of the irrigation season.
  • Check current Bear River mainstem flow conditions with the Utah Division of Water Rights (waterrights.utah.gov) to monitor any priority call activity affecting Box Elder County diversions.
  • Contact the Bear River Commission for updates on Bear River Compact apportionment status and how current flows at Corinne affect Utah's allocation position.
  • Contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office in Brigham City for current soil moisture and irrigation scheduling tools relevant to Box Elder County crops.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through July 12, 2026; USGS streamflow data through July 13, 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.

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