Cassia County Water Intelligence Brief

October 12, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Streamflows across Cassia County's two agricultural zones are low but showing early rising signals as the irrigation season closes — Cassia Creek is running at 13 cfs (rising) and the Raft River near Malta at 5 cfs (rising), consistent with late-season transitions in both the Snake River corridor and the Raft River Valley. For Snake River corridor irrigators, the Burley Irrigation District service area is winding down its 2026 delivery season; contracted potato and beet processing volumes at Amalgamated Sugar's Burley factory and area potato plants remain the downstream indicator of whether late-season supply held. 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 surrounding mountain terrain show trace or zero snow water equivalent as of October 11 — consistent with normal early-October conditions, when the seasonal median SWE is also at or near zero at these elevations.

No percent-of-median figures are reported for any station, meaning the historical median for this date is also effectively zero — these readings do not indicate below-normal conditions for mid-October. The relevant 2026 snowpack story is timing, not current depth: mountain snowpack across the region melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by the anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout compressed the runoff window and reduced late-season surface water availability — context that shaped this year's delivery season but is now background.

Streamflow Conditions

Cassia Creek below Blacksmith Creek (USGS): 13 cfs, rising as of October 12. This small tributary system in the eastern Cassia County uplands is running at a modest late-season level, with the rising trend consistent with early autumn precipitation or reduced upstream consumptive use as the irrigation season ends.

Raft River above Onemile Creek near Malta (USGS 13078000): 5 cfs, rising as of October 12. This is the primary in-county streamflow indicator for the Raft River Valley. At 5 cfs, flows remain at the low end of what supports limited late-season irrigation and stock water for ranching operations in the Oakley and Malta areas. The rising signal is modestly encouraging for south county ranchers heading into fall.

*Note: No active USGS Snake River gauge exists within Cassia County boundaries. Supply assessment for the Burley Irrigation District service area relies on upstream gauges at Milner and near Twin Falls.*

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: October 12, 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 — Water District 36, Burley office), Burley Irrigation District, and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Pacific Northwest Region (Boise office) for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.