Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Caribou County, ID

July 20, 2026

Caribou County, ID — Water Intelligence Brief

July 20, 2026 | Bear River Basin Focus

Situation Summary

Caribou County enters the heart of the 2026 irrigation season with snowpack fully melted across all monitored SNOTEL stations — a condition that arrived 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, leaving streamflows to depend entirely on reservoir carryover and baseflow contributions through the remainder of the season. Bear River system flows show a mixed picture, with the Pescadero reach carrying substantial volume while upstream and downstream gauges trend lower, and the Blackfoot River Basin running at reduced late-season levels. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion rate analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations monitored across Caribou County's watersheds are reporting zero snow water equivalent (SWE) as of July 19, 2026. This is the expected seasonal baseline for mid-July — when no percent-of-median figure is reported alongside a 0.0" SWE reading, the historical median SWE for that date is also 0.0", meaning these stations are at normal seasonal condition for this point in the calendar.

The critical context for 2026 is not the current readings but the timing of meltout: stations across the region melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by anomalous warmth earlier in the season. That early meltout means the snowpack pulse that normally sustains streamflows into June and July has already passed. No additional snowmelt contribution should be expected for the remainder of the irrigation season.

Station-by-station summary (July 19, 2026):

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.2", Depth 0.0"
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", Depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE N/A, 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"

    • Emigrant Summit's trace reading of 0.2" SWE with 0.0" snow depth is a minor anomaly likely reflecting a sensor artifact or residual ice — it carries no practical water supply significance.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Streamflow across the Bear River Basin and associated watersheds presents a varied picture as of July 20, 2026.

    Bear River Basin:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 68 cfs, falling. This upstream entry point into the system reflects modest inflow from Wyoming headwaters, with a declining trend consistent with post-snowmelt recession.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,390 cfs, stable. This is the dominant in-county flow reading and reflects regulated releases and cumulative basin contributions through the main Bear River corridor. The stable trend at this gauge is a positive indicator for near-term mid-basin delivery.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 158 cfs, falling. The sharp reduction from Pescadero to Corinne reflects significant upstream diversions along the Bear River system. The falling trend warrants attention for downstream users.
  • Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Company's Dam near Hyrum, UT: 55 cfs, stable. A tributary contribution running at a stable pace — holding steady for now.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 18 cfs, stable. Low but stable tributary flow in the lower Bear River system.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 85 cfs, stable. Moderate stable flow from the Logan River corridor.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs (reading dated 05/15). This gauge data is significantly stale — the May 15 reading should not be used for current operational decisions. Users dependent on Malad River contributions should contact the appropriate water district for current conditions.

    • Blackfoot River Basin:

  • Blackfoot River above Reservoir near Henry, ID: 26 cfs, falling. Inflow to Blackfoot Reservoir is declining, a trend typical for this point in the season but one that bears monitoring for users dependent on Blackfoot Reservoir storage.

    • Portneuf River Basin:

  • Portneuf River at Pocatello, ID: 32 cfs, rising. This is a notable countertrend — a rising signal in mid-July when most streams are receding. Users in the Portneuf corridor should verify the cause with IDWR or USGS, as it may reflect upstream releases or local runoff conditions.

    • Salt River Basin:

  • Salt River above Reservoir near Etna, WY: 333 cfs, stable. Healthy stable inflow from the Salt River headwaters into that reservoir system.

    • The overall picture: mid-basin Bear River flows at Pescadero remain substantial and stable, but both the upstream (Border, WY) and downstream (Corinne, UT) gauges are falling. Blackfoot River inflow is declining. Late-season trajectory will depend heavily on reservoir management and remaining storage.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact IDWR Eastern Regional Office in Pocatello (208-525-7161) to confirm current Bear River water right administration status and any active delivery scheduling for your district.
  • Check with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for current Blackfoot Reservoir storage conditions, as declining Blackfoot River inflows make carryover storage the primary buffer for users served by that project.
  • Contact PacifiCorp and the Bear River Commission for current Bear Lake storage status, which is the primary multi-year regulatory buffer for the broader Bear River Basin.
  • Check IDWR's Bear River Groundwater Management Area (Bear River GWMA) resources for current Bear River Valley alluvial aquifer conditions if you rely on groundwater to supplement surface water deliveries.

    • 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: Idaho Department of Water Resources (Eastern Regional Office in Pocatello, (208) 525-7161, for Bear River basin counties)

    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 (for Blackfoot Reservoir), and PacifiCorp/Bear River Commission (for Bear Lake storage) 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

    Caribou County Brief — August 3, 2026Caribou County Brief — July 27, 2026Caribou County Brief — July 13, 2026Caribou County Brief — July 6, 2026Caribou County Brief — June 29, 2026Caribou County Brief — June 22, 2026Caribou County Brief — June 15, 2026Caribou County Brief — June 8, 2026Caribou County Brief — June 1, 2026Caribou County Brief — May 26, 2026Caribou County Brief — May 15, 2026Caribou County Brief — April 21, 2026

    Stay Updated

    Water intelligence, delivered.

    Free seasonal updates on water conditions across the Mountain West.

    Free · Delivered when reports publish

    Caribou County ID Water Report — July 20, 2026 | Wai AI