Cache County Water Intelligence Brief

June 22, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Snowpack across Cache County's Bear River Basin contributing stations has melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, reflecting the anomalous March heat wave that accelerated the 2026 snow season across the Mountain West. Streamflows on local tributaries are falling, signaling the transition from snowmelt-driven supply to base-flow and storage-dependent conditions earlier than typical. 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 conditions consistent with full seasonal meltout as of June 21, 2026.

Bear River RS reports 0.0" SWE and 0.0" snow depth. Garden City Summit and Slug Creek Divide similarly report 0.0" SWE and 0.0" depth. Emigrant Summit records 0.1" SWE with 0.0" depth — a trace reading indicating effective meltout. Tony Grove Lake reports 0.0" SWE with 1.0" depth remaining, suggesting residual compacted snow or ice with negligible water content.

Two stations retain modest but diminishing snowpack: Franklin Basin shows 0.6" SWE with 2.0" depth, and Giveout shows 0.4" SWE with 0.0" depth. USU Doc Daniel records 0.0" SWE despite 3.0" of snow depth, indicating the remaining snow is very dense and nearly water-exhausted.

The key context for all stations showing 0.0" SWE: the median SWE for this calendar date is also 0.0", meaning these stations are at their normal seasonal condition *for this point in the calendar*. The significant concern for 2026 is not today's readings but the timing — these stations reached meltout 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median meltout date, meaning the snowmelt pulse that fills reservoirs and sustains early-season streamflows arrived and passed well ahead of schedule.

Streamflow Conditions

Local tributary gauges confirm the post-peak, declining trend expected following early meltout.

Logan River Above State Dam, Near Logan, UT registered 178 cfs (falling) as of June 21 — the primary in-canyon supply indicator for Cache Valley irrigators. Blacksmith Fork Above Upper and Lower Companies' Dam Near Hyrum, UT reads 60 cfs (stable) as of June 22, providing some consistency for lower valley users. Little Bear River at Paradise, UT is at 18 cfs (falling) as of June 22, reflecting accelerating recession on this smaller tributary.

On the broader Bear River mainstem, Bear River Near Corinne, UT reads 222 cfs (falling) as of June 22, and Bear River at Border, WY reads 134 cfs (falling) as of June 22 — both trending downward as snowmelt contributions diminish. In contrast, Bear River at Pescadero, ID reads 1,550 cfs (rising) as of June 22, reflecting storage release dynamics or basin-specific conditions upstream in Idaho — a notable divergence from the falling trend seen at other mainstem points.

Malad River Near Bear River City, UT most recently recorded 6 cfs as of May 15 — this reading is approximately five weeks old and should be treated with caution; current conditions may differ materially.

The overall picture across Cache County gauges is a system past its seasonal peak and declining. Falling trends on Logan River, Little Bear River, and Bear River near Corinne are consistent with the early meltout signal from SNOTEL stations.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 21, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 22, 2026

Data Current As Of: June 22, 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.