Caribou County, ID — Water Intelligence Brief

October 12, 2026 | Bear River Basin | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Streamflows across Caribou County's four watersheds are showing a mixed picture this week, with Bear River mainstem readings at the Wyoming border running at 58 cfs and rising, while the Blackfoot River above its reservoir holds steady at a modest 17 cfs — conditions consistent with the tail end of the irrigation season as demand winds down. With principal irrigation deliveries largely concluded for the year, water managers should now be focused on carryover storage positioning and early planning for the 2027 season. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Across all eight SNOTEL stations reporting for Caribou County's watersheds, current snowpack readings reflect normal early-October conditions — snow water equivalent (SWE) at or near zero is expected at this point in the calendar, and today's readings are consistent with seasonal norms for mid-October.

| Station | SWE | Snow Depth |

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

| Bear River RS | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Emigrant Summit | 0.1" | 1.0" |

| Franklin Basin | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Garden City Summit | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Giveout | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Slug Creek Divide | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Tony Grove Lake | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| USU Doc Daniel | 0.0" (0% of 0.1" median) | 0.0" |

The notable exception is Emigrant Summit, which is reporting the season's first measurable accumulation at 0.1" SWE and 1.0" of snow depth — an early-season signal worth watching but not yet operationally significant. Franklin Basin and Garden City Summit each show 1.0" of snow depth with 0.0" SWE, indicating a light, low-density surface layer without meaningful water content. Background context for 2027 planning: the 2026 season was defined by meltout occurring 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous spring heat event — a dynamic that compressed runoff timing and affected summer delivery windows. Whether 2027 follows a similar pattern will depend on accumulation beginning in November and December.

Streamflow Conditions

Ten USGS gauges covering Caribou County's four watersheds show a broadly stable-to-rising pattern this week, with the most notable activity on the Bear River mainstem and Salt River.

Bear River Basin:

Blackfoot River Basin:

Portneuf River Basin:

Salt River Basin:

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 11, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 12, 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.