Cassia County Water Intelligence Brief

October 5, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Snake River corridor streamflows and Burley Irrigation District deliveries are entering the season's final operational phase, with late-October system shutdowns approaching and field demand winding down as potato and beet harvests advance toward completion. Cassia Creek near Malta reads 4 cfs (stable) and the Raft River above Onemile Creek near Malta reads 11 cfs (stable), indicating quiet, late-season baseflow conditions across both the Snake corridor and the Raft River Valley. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All three SNOTEL stations reporting for Cassia County's contributing mountain terrain show typical early-October conditions, with no meaningful snow-water equivalent on the ground:

No percent-of-median figures are shown for any station, which is the expected outcome at this date — the historical median SWE is also 0.0" in early October, so these readings reflect normal seasonal conditions rather than a deficit. The relevant 2026 snowpack story is one of timing: across the broader region, snowpack melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout shaped summer supply conditions upstream. Meaningful accumulation at these elevations is not expected until November.

Streamflow Conditions

Two active USGS gauges provide in-county streamflow data for Cassia County. No active USGS Snake River gauge exists within Cassia County boundaries — supply assessment for the Burley Irrigation District service area relies on upstream Milner and Twin Falls reference gauges.

Both readings reflect stable, low-volume late-season baseflow — consistent with normal early-October conditions in small tributary and ranching-zone stream systems. The Raft River near Malta is the primary supply indicator for Raft River Valley ranchers and irrigators in the Oakley, Malta, and Elba areas. At 11 cfs stable, the system is running at a modest but steady late-season level. Raft River Valley operations should note that this streamflow range — while workable for limited late-season ranching needs — leaves little buffer for any additional demand. Cassia Creek at 4 cfs is consistent with minimal tributary input as the irrigation season closes.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 4, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 5, 2026

Data Current As Of: October 5, 2026

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, Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR — administers Water District 36, the middle Snake River priority system; Burley district office), Burley Irrigation District (primary delivery infrastructure for the Snake River corridor in Cassia County), and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region (Boise office — for American Falls Reservoir and Palisades Reservoir upstream context) for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.