Water Intelligence Brief

Box Elder County, UT — Bear River Basin

October 5, 2026

Situation Summary

Bear River flows near Corinne are running at 475 cfs and rising — the most operationally significant signal in the basin this week — while upper-reach gauges at the Wyoming border (45 cfs, falling) and Pescadero, ID (42 cfs, falling) indicate declining contributions from upstream. With the primary irrigation season effectively concluded across Box Elder County, canal companies are shifting to closeout operations, but the divergence between rising lower-river flows and falling upper-river inputs warrants attention for any users still managing late-season diversions. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

SNOTEL monitoring across the Bear River Basin shows conditions fully consistent with normal early-October seasonal patterns. At this point in the calendar, median SWE at these stations is 0.0", meaning current readings represent normal seasonal status — not below-normal snowpack.

| Station | SWE | Snow Depth |

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

| Bear River RS | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Emigrant Summit | 0.1" | 1.0" |

| Franklin Basin | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Garden City Summit | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Giveout | 0.1" | 0.0" |

| Slug Creek Divide | Data collection issues | — |

| Tony Grove Lake | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| USU Doc Daniel | 0.0" | 0.0" |

Emigrant Summit and Giveout each show trace SWE (0.1"), with Franklin Basin reporting 1.0" of snow depth at 0.0" SWE — consistent with early-season dusting events that have not yet produced measurable water content. Slug Creek Divide remains offline due to data collection issues; users dependent on that station's readings should contact NRCS directly.

As background context: the 2026 season was defined by an anomalous March heat wave that drove meltout 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date across the Bear River Basin. That early meltout shaped the summer streamflow trajectory. The snowpack story now shifts to accumulation season — early-October mountain precipitation events are normal and do not yet signal winter 2026–27 outlook.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River Basin gauges present a split picture between upper and lower reaches as of October 4–5, 2026.

Upper reaches (falling):

These upper and tributary gauges reflect typical late-season recession as snowmelt contributions are fully exhausted and baseflow conditions prevail.

Mid-basin tributaries (mixed):

The Logan River's rising signal is notable. Rising flows in early October can reflect recent precipitation in the upper Cache Valley and Bear River Range — users drawing from Logan River-connected systems should monitor for short-term fluctuation.

Lower Bear River (rising):

The Corinne gauge represents the most direct operational signal for Box Elder County agricultural users. At 475 cfs and rising, lower Bear River conditions are more robust than upper-reach readings might suggest. This likely reflects contributions from multiple tributaries, return flows, and conveyance dynamics across the lower basin. Canal companies managing late-season diversions near Corinne should note this rising trend.

Lower tributary:

Users relying on Malad River data should contact the USGS or Bear River Canal Company directly for current conditions.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 4, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 5, 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.