Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Cache County, UT

August 3, 2026

Cache County, UT — Water Intelligence Brief

August 3, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Snowpack across the Bear River Basin monitoring network has fully melted out, with SNOTEL stations reporting at normal seasonal conditions for early August. The defining water supply story for 2026 is meltout timing: stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the spring runoff window and reducing late-season streamflow recharge. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations serving the Bear River Basin report conditions consistent with full seasonal meltout as of August 2, 2026:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.1", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • 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 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"

    • Zero SWE readings at this point in the calendar reflect normal seasonal meltout — the August median SWE for these stations is also 0.0", so current readings are not below normal for today's date. The critical concern for 2026 is not current snowpack but rather the timing of meltout: the anomalous March heat wave drove snowpack off the mountains 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median meltout date, meaning the spring pulse that typically sustains late-summer streamflows ran off significantly earlier in the season.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Seven USGS gauges across the Bear River Basin provide current streamflow context for Cache County water users:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 59 cfs (stable) — upper watershed inflow is holding steady at a modest level.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,050 cfs (falling) — the mid-system mainstem is carrying the highest volume in the network but trending downward.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 247 cfs (falling) — lower Bear River flows entering Box Elder County are declining, reflecting seasonal drawdown.
  • Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Co.'s Dam near Hyrum, UT: 52 cfs (stable) — a locally important tributary serving Cache County is holding relatively steady.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 15 cfs (falling) as of August 1 — a key Cache County tributary is at low late-season flow and declining.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 72 cfs (falling) as of August 1 — Cache County's primary urban and agricultural stream is in late-season decline.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs — the most recent reading is from May 15; current conditions at this gauge are not available and should be verified directly.

    • The overall pattern is one of late-summer declining flows across Cache County tributaries. The Logan River and Little Bear River — the two streams most directly supporting Cache Valley dairy operations, alfalfa production, and municipal supply — are both falling. Blacksmith Fork is the relative bright spot, holding stable at 52 cfs. The early 2026 meltout means these streams are drawing down from a lower late-season baseline than typical years, with no remaining snowpack reservoir to buffer continued decline through August.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact Utah Division of Water Rights (waterrights.utah.gov) to verify current water right priority status and confirm whether any administrative actions have been initiated on the Logan River or Little Bear River systems.
  • Check with Cache County Water District and local canal companies for current delivery schedules and any announced reductions on Logan River and Blacksmith Fork diversions.
  • Contact NRCS Utah State Office or the Logan Field Office for updated Bear River Basin water supply outlooks and any late-season SNOTEL or streamflow monitoring advisories.
  • Monitor Utah Division of Water Resources (water.utah.gov) for current storage status at Hyrum, Porcupine, and Newton Reservoirs, as local reservoir levels are the primary buffer for Cache County agricultural users through the remainder of the irrigation season.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 2, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 3, 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 — July 27, 2026Cache County Brief — July 20, 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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