Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Cache County, UT

July 20, 2026

Cache County Water Intelligence Brief

July 20, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Cache County enters the heart of irrigation season with snowpack fully melted across all SNOTEL stations — a condition that is normal for mid-July, though the 2026 season was notable for snowpack melting out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the spring runoff window and reducing recharge into the critical early-irrigation period. Streamflows on the Logan River, Blacksmith Fork, and Little Bear River are currently stable, providing short-term irrigation supply, though the Bear River at Border shows falling conditions that warrant monitoring. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion rate analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations in the Bear River Basin reporting for Cache County show zero snow water equivalent as of July 19, 2026 — a condition consistent with normal mid-summer seasonal expectations at these elevations. No station is reporting a percent-of-median figure, which confirms that the median SWE for this date is also 0.0"; stations are at their normal seasonal condition for late July, not below normal relative to today's benchmark.

Station-by-station readings:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.2", Depth 0.0" — the lone station carrying any residual moisture signal, though the absence of snow depth suggests this is a trace or sensor artifact rather than meaningful accumulation
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE not available, Depth 0.0"
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"

    • The operative seasonal signal is not today's readings but the meltout timing: across the Bear River Range and adjacent terrain, snowpack melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date in 2026. That early departure means streamflows driven by snowmelt peaked earlier in the spring than canal operators and irrigation companies typically plan for, and the basin has been operating on stored water and baseflow for longer than a normal year. Snowpack will not contribute additional runoff for the remainder of the 2026 irrigation season.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Seven USGS gauges provide coverage of the Bear River Basin for Cache County users. Conditions are mixed, with local tributaries holding stable while the upper Bear River mainstem shows a declining trend.

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 68 cfs, falling (July 20) — the headwaters signal is declining, indicating reduced inflow into the Bear River system from the upper basin. Users downstream should monitor this trend.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,390 cfs, stable (July 20) — the mid-basin reading upstream of Bear Lake reflects regulated flows through the Bear River Commission system and is considerably higher than downstream Utah gauges, reflecting storage operations and tributary contributions through Idaho.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 158 cfs, falling (July 20) — the lower Bear River mainstem in Utah is declining, which affects Cutler Reservoir inflows and downstream diversions in Box Elder County but provides context for the full basin water balance.
  • Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Company's Dam near Hyrum, UT: 55 cfs, stable (July 20) — this is a key local supply indicator for Hyrum Reservoir operations and agricultural users in the southern Cache Valley. Stable conditions are encouraging for near-term irrigation deliveries.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 18 cfs, stable (July 20) — stable flow on this smaller tributary supports irrigation deliveries in the central and eastern Cache Valley.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 85 cfs, stable (July 20) — stable flow on the Logan River is the most directly relevant indicator for Cache Valley irrigators and supports continued diversion through the Logan River system.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs (data from May 15) — this reading is significantly outdated and should not be used for current operational decisions. Users relying on Malad River data should contact the Utah Division of Water Rights or USGS directly for current conditions.

    • The overall pattern shows local Cache Valley tributaries — Logan River, Blacksmith Fork, and Little Bear River — holding stable in the near term, which is the most actionable supply signal for daily irrigation management. The falling trend on the upper Bear River mainstem at Border, WY, and on the lower Bear River near Corinne is a forward-looking concern worth tracking over the coming weeks.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Utah Division of Water Rights (waterrights.utah.gov) to verify current water right priority status and confirm delivery entitlements before increasing diversion rates as flows continue to decline seasonally.
  • Check with the Logan River Watermaster or your local irrigation company for current diversion scheduling and any adjustments to delivery rotation as summer demand peaks.
  • Contact the Utah Division of Water Resources or Bear River Water Conservancy District for current storage status at Hyrum Reservoir, Porcupine Reservoir, and Newton Reservoir, which are the primary in-county storage facilities serving Cache Valley agricultural users.
  • Monitor USGS National Water Information System (waterdata.usgs.gov) for daily updates on the Logan River above State Dam and Blacksmith Fork gauges, which are the most operationally relevant local streamflow indicators for Cache County irrigators.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through July 19, 2026; USGS streamflow data through July 20, 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.

    Other Issues

    Cache County Brief — August 3, 2026Cache County Brief — July 27, 2026Cache County Brief — July 13, 2026Cache County Brief — July 6, 2026Cache County Brief — June 29, 2026Cache County Brief — June 22, 2026Cache County Brief — June 15, 2026Cache County Brief — June 8, 2026Cache County Brief — June 1, 2026Cache County Brief — May 26, 2026Cache County Brief — May 15, 2026Cache County Brief — May 3, 2026Cache County Brief — April 24, 2026

    Additional Resources

    Cache Water District — conservation and outreach resources for Cache County farmers and irrigators

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