Caribou County Water Intelligence Brief

October 19, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Bear River flows through the system are stable to falling this week, with most gauges reflecting typical late-October recession as the irrigation season winds down and upstream contributions diminish. Streamflow at Bear River at Border, WY reads 54 cfs and at Pescadero, ID reads 36 cfs — conditions consistent with end-of-season baseflow for Bear River basin agricultural users. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All monitored SNOTEL stations across Caribou County's four watersheds are reporting at or near zero snowpack, which is normal for this point in the calendar — median SWE values for mid-October are also at or near zero at these elevations.

| Station | SWE | Snow Depth |

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

| Bear River RS | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Emigrant Summit | 0.1" | 1.0" |

| Franklin Basin | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Garden City Summit | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| 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 0.4" median) | 0.0" |

The lone exception is Emigrant Summit, which shows a trace reading of 0.1" SWE with 1.0" of snow depth — an early-season dusting rather than meaningful accumulation. USU Doc Daniel is the only station reporting a percent-of-median figure (0% of a 0.4" median), indicating it sits modestly below its historical average for this date; all other stations show no percent-of-median because the historical median is also 0.0" at this time of year. As background context, the 2026 season was defined by an anomalous March heat wave that drove meltout 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date — that early-season dynamic is now past, and the snowpack story for water year 2027 has yet to develop meaningfully.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River basin flows reflect late-season recession across the system. Bear River at Border, WY is running at 54 cfs (stable), and Bear River at Pescadero, ID reads 36 cfs (stable) — both consistent with low-volume baseflow as upstream tributary contributions fade. Bear River near Corinne, UT reads 531 cfs but is falling, reflecting accumulated downstream flow inclusive of tributary inputs and reservoir releases further down the system. Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Company's Dam near Hyrum, UT is stable at 52 cfs; Little Bear River at Paradise, UT reads 34 cfs (falling); and Logan River above State Dam near Logan, UT reads 81 cfs (falling) — all consistent with normal autumn recession on Bear River tributaries.

The Blackfoot River above Reservoir near Henry, ID reads 26 cfs and is falling, indicating reduced inflow to Blackfoot Reservoir at the close of the season. Portneuf River at Pocatello, ID reads 127 cfs (falling). Malad River near Bear River City, UT shows 6 cfs with a data date of May 15 — this reading is stale and should not be used for current operational decisions; contact USGS or IDWR for current Malad status. Salt River above Reservoir near Etna, WY reads 417 cfs (stable), providing context for the Salt River basin tributary system.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 18, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 19, 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.