Cache County Water Intelligence Brief

August 10, 2026 | Bear River Basin | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Cache County's Bear River Basin is operating under fully melted snowpack conditions, with SNOTEL stations recording meltout 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date — a legacy of the anomalous March 2026 heat wave. Streamflows across the basin reflect this early transition, with several gauges on a falling trend heading into the peak irrigation demand period. 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 above Cache County are reporting at or near zero snow water equivalent as of August 9, 2026 — consistent with normal late-summer conditions for this calendar date. No below-normal language applies to current SWE readings, as median SWE at these stations is also 0.0" by this point in the season.

| Station | SWE | Snow Depth |

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

| Bear River RS | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Emigrant Summit | 0.2" | 0.0" |

| Franklin Basin | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Garden City Summit | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Giveout | N/A | 0.0" |

| Slug Creek Divide | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Tony Grove Lake | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| USU Doc Daniel | 0.0" | 0.0" |

The operationally significant story is not current SWE — it is meltout timing. These stations completed melt 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median meltout date, meaning the snowpack-driven pulse of summer streamflow arrived and largely passed ahead of schedule. Residual trace readings at Emigrant Summit (0.2" SWE) and Franklin Basin (1.0" depth) are not meaningful supply contributors at this stage of the season.

Streamflow Conditions

Basin streamflows present a mixed picture as of August 10, with the upper Bear River system holding moderate flows while local Cache County tributaries trend downward.

Bear River Mainstem:

Local Cache County Tributaries:

Regional Context:

The overall pattern is characteristic of a basin that has exhausted its primary snowmelt recharge ahead of schedule. Stable flows on the Bear River mainstem at Pescadero provide some reassurance for basin-wide accounting, but Cache County's local tributaries — Logan River and Little Bear River — are on falling trends that warrant close attention for the remainder of the irrigation season.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 9, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 10, 2026

Data Current As Of: August 10, 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, Bear River Water Conservancy District, Utah Division of Water Rights, and Utah Division of Water Resources for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.