Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Caribou County, ID

October 26, 2026

Caribou County Water Intelligence Brief

October 26, 2026 | Bear River Basin, Blackfoot River Basin, Portneuf River Basin, Salt River Basin

Situation Summary

Streamflows across Caribou County's four watersheds are broadly rising this week, with the Bear River, Blackfoot River, Portneuf River, and Salt River all showing upward or stable trends at active gauges — a positive signal heading into the late-October transition period. For most irrigators, the primary irrigation season is winding down, but water managers should note current conditions as a baseline for fall storage filling and next-season planning. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

SNOTEL stations across the Bear River Range and surrounding highlands show minimal to no snowpack accumulation as of October 25, consistent with normal early-season conditions for this date.

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.1", snow depth 1.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.1", snow depth 0.0"
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", snow depth 2.0"
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE 0.0", snow depth 1.0"
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0" (0% of 0.9" median), snow depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: Data collection issues — no reading available

    • Most stations reporting 0.0" SWE reflect normal seasonal conditions; median SWE for these stations at this calendar date is also 0.0", meaning the network is not signaling a below-normal snowpack at this moment. USU Doc Daniel is the one station showing a percent-of-median figure (0% of 0.9"), which warrants monitoring as the season develops. Background context: the 2026 water year featured a significant early-meltout event in spring, with stations across the Bear River Range melting out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date — a reminder that next season's snowpack trajectory deserves close attention beginning in November.

    Streamflow Conditions

    All ten active USGS gauges show rising or stable flows across Caribou County's four basins as of October 26.

    Bear River Basin:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 78 cfs (rising)
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 37 cfs (rising)
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 883 cfs (rising)
  • Blacksmith Fork ab Up and L Co.'s Dam nr Hyrum, UT: 52 cfs (stable)
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 40 cfs (rising)
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 92 cfs (rising)
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs (last reading 05/15 — current status unknown; treat with caution)

    • Blackfoot River Basin:

  • Blackfoot River above Reservoir near Henry, ID: 38 cfs (rising)

    • Portneuf River Basin:

  • Portneuf River at Pocatello, ID: 159 cfs (rising)

    • Salt River Basin:

  • Salt River above Reservoir near Etna, WY: 423 cfs (stable)

    • The broadly rising trend across the Bear River mainstem and tributaries, Blackfoot River, and Portneuf River suggests recent precipitation is moving through the system. The Malad River near Bear River City reading dates to May 15 and should not be treated as a current condition — water managers relying on Malad River data should contact USGS or IDWR directly for current status.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Idaho Department of Water Resources Eastern Regional Office in Pocatello ((208) 525-7161) to confirm current Bear River basin water right administration status and any active curtailment orders heading into the off-season.
  • Reach out to Blackfoot River Irrigation District or your local water master to verify Blackfoot Reservoir inflow tracking and storage fill projections for the coming months.
  • Check with PacifiCorp and the Bear River Commission for current Bear Lake storage status, which governs multi-year supply carryover for Bear River basin irrigators in Caribou County.
  • Contact USBR Pacific Northwest Region (Boise office) for current Blackfoot Reservoir operational status, as Blackfoot Reservoir is the Bureau of Reclamation-managed facility most directly relevant to Caribou County water supply planning.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 25, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 26, 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.

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