Water Intelligence Brief

Box Elder County, UT — Bear River Basin

September 28, 2026

Situation Summary

Bear River flows are falling across the basin this week, with the near-Corinne gauge reading 226 cfs and most tributary gauges trending downward — conditions typical of late-season drawdown as irrigation demand winds down and snowmelt-driven recharge has long since ended. For Box Elder County irrigators relying on Bear River Canal Company and direct river diversions, the declining trajectory signals the final weeks of the 2026 delivery season, and operators should begin coordinating end-of-season scheduling now. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All monitored SNOTEL stations in the Bear River Basin are reporting at or near zero snow water equivalent (SWE) as of September 27, 2026 — which is the expected, normal condition for this date in late September. No stations are reporting anomalous below-median readings relative to historical norms for this point in the calendar, because the median SWE for late September is also effectively zero at these elevations.

Station readings (September 27, 2026):

Emigrant Summit and Giveout are each showing trace SWE of 0.2", which may reflect early-season dusting from a recent storm event rather than meaningful accumulation. The relevant snowpack story for 2026 is not current conditions but the season's origin: basin snowpack melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout compressed the spring runoff window and accelerated the transition to late-season baseflow conditions — context that defines this irrigation season's arc. Slug Creek Divide data collection issues should be noted; users relying on that station for early-season monitoring in 2027 should flag it now with NRCS.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River flows are falling at most gauges across the basin, consistent with normal late-September recession. The mainstem and key tributaries are all operating at low-to-modest levels.

Gauge readings (September 28, 2026):

The downstream progression from Border, WY (57 cfs) to Pescadero, ID (256 cfs) to Corinne, UT (226 cfs) reflects tributary contributions accumulating along the mainstem through its Idaho arc before entering Utah. The modest decline from Pescadero to Corinne likely reflects diversion activity and transmission losses in the lower reach. Blacksmith Fork and Logan River are holding stable, which provides some reliability for downstream users drawing from those tributaries. Little Bear River at 23 cfs and falling warrants monitoring for users at the lower end of their delivery schedules. The Malad River near Bear River City reading of 6 cfs is based on a May 15 observation and should not be treated as current — direct flow inquiries for this reach to the Utah Division of Water Resources or local ditch operators. For Box Elder County irrigators, the falling trend at Corinne is the primary operational signal: late-season deliveries from direct Bear River diversions are likely to tighten further in the coming weeks as flows continue their seasonal decline.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 27, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 28, 2026

Data Current As Of: September 28, 2026 | 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.