Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Franklin County, ID

June 22, 2026

Franklin County, ID — Water Intelligence Brief

June 22, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Franklin County's Bear River Basin enters the peak summer irrigation period with snowpack effectively gone across nearly all monitoring stations, following a 2026 melt season that ran 4–6 weeks ahead of historical median meltout dates. Streamflow conditions are mixed, with the Bear River at Pescadero showing strong flows while upper and lower basin gauges reflect declining runoff. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations serving the Bear River Basin report minimal to zero snow water equivalent as of June 21, 2026, consistent with the anomalously early melt season that characterized the 2026 water year across the Mountain West.

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.1", snow depth 0.0"
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.6", snow depth 2.0" — the only station retaining a measurable snowpack
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE 0.4", snow depth 0.0"
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", snow depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", snow depth 1.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", snow depth 3.0"

    • Six of eight stations report zero SWE. Where the median SWE for this calendar date is also 0.0", stations are at their normal seasonal condition — not below normal — for late June. Franklin Basin and Giveout retain trace SWE, and Tony Grove Lake and USU Doc Daniel show residual snow depth without measurable water content, likely reflecting dense or compacted late-season snow.

    The important signal for 2026 is not today's readings — it is timing. These stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of their historical median meltout dates. That early meltout means the snowmelt pulse that typically sustains streamflows and reservoir recharge into late June and July has largely concluded. Irrigation-season water supply now depends on stored water and whatever residual runoff remains in the system.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Seven USGS gauges provide coverage across the Bear River Basin as of June 22, 2026. Conditions are variable across the watershed.

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 134 cfs, falling — upper watershed inflow to the basin is declining.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,550 cfs, rising — the dominant mid-basin gauge shows robust and increasing flow, likely reflecting reservoir operations or tributary contributions entering the system above this point.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 222 cfs, falling — lower basin outflow is declining, a typical late-season pattern as the system transitions away from peak runoff.
  • Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Companies' Dam near Hyrum, UT: 60 cfs, stable — a consistent reading for this tributary, though no trend data suggests conditions are holding steady.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 18 cfs, falling — small tributary flows are receding.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 178 cfs, falling (data from 06/21) — tributary flows from the Logan River corridor are declining.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs — most recent reading dated 05/15; this gauge has not reported in over a month and should not be relied upon for current conditions.

    • The overall pattern shows a basin transitioning from active runoff to base-flow conditions, with most gauges trending downward. The anomalous rise at Pescadero warrants monitoring — it may reflect upstream operational releases rather than natural runoff, and its trajectory will be important for Franklin County diverters to track in the coming weeks.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Idaho Department of Water Resources Eastern Regional Office in Pocatello (208-525-7161) to verify current water rights administration status and any active curtailment orders affecting Bear River Basin diversions in Franklin County.
  • Check with PacifiCorp and the Bear River Commission for current Bear Lake storage operations and release schedules, as Bear Lake is the primary regional carryover storage facility governing mid- and late-season Bear River flows.
  • Contact Glendale Reservoir managing authorities and your local Franklin County irrigation district to confirm current storage status and delivery schedules for the Cub River system.
  • Monitor the USGS Bear River at Pescadero gauge (available at waterdata.usgs.gov) for changes in flow direction, as this is the primary mid-basin indicator for Franklin County diverters.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 21, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 22, 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, PacifiCorp/Bear River Commission (for Bear Lake storage operations) and local irrigation districts 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.

    Other Issues

    Franklin County Brief — August 3, 2026Franklin County Brief — July 27, 2026Franklin County Brief — July 20, 2026Franklin County Brief — July 13, 2026Franklin County Brief — July 6, 2026Franklin County Brief — June 29, 2026Franklin County Brief — June 15, 2026Franklin County Brief — June 8, 2026Franklin County Brief — June 1, 2026Franklin County Brief — May 26, 2026Franklin County Brief — May 15, 2026Franklin County Brief — April 27, 2026

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