Franklin County, ID — Water Intelligence Brief

August 17, 2026 | Bear River Basin

Situation Summary

Franklin County's Bear River Basin water supply is operating in a late-season mode consistent with 2026's anomalous early-melt pattern, with snowpack fully depleted across monitoring stations and streamflows now driven entirely by runoff recession, baseflow, and reservoir releases. The early meltout — running 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median — compressed the spring runoff window and shifted the irrigation season's supply risk earlier than most years. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion rate analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations serving the Bear River Basin report seasonal conditions consistent with the August date, with snowpack fully absent across the monitoring network as of August 16, 2026.

| Station | SWE | Snow Depth |

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

| Bear River RS | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Emigrant Summit | 0.2" | 0.0" |

| Franklin Basin | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Garden City Summit | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Giveout | 0.3" | 0.0" |

| Slug Creek Divide | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Tony Grove Lake | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| USU Doc Daniel | 0.0" | 0.0" |

The near-universal 0.0" SWE readings reflect normal seasonal depletion for mid-August — at this point in the calendar, the historical median SWE for these stations is also 0.0", so these readings do not indicate below-normal conditions relative to the current date. The meaningful signal for 2026 is temporal: stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date due to the anomalous March heat wave. That earlier-than-normal meltout accelerated spring runoff, reduced the duration of snowmelt-sustained streamflow, and shifted supply pressure into the early summer period.

Two stations show trace residual readings — Emigrant Summit at 0.2" SWE and Giveout at 0.3" SWE — both with 0.0" reported snow depth, suggesting instrument artifact or very localized shaded accumulation rather than meaningful snowpack. Franklin Basin reports 1.0" snow depth with 0.0" SWE, an anomalous combination that likely reflects compacted or melting remnant snow with no measurable water content. None of these traces represent operationally significant snowmelt supply going forward. No meaningful snowmelt contribution to streamflow should be expected from the Bear River Basin headwaters for the remainder of the irrigation season.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River Basin streamflows present a mixed picture across the seven active USGS gauges, with the dominant pattern being late-season baseflow recession modulated by upstream reservoir operations.

Bear River at Border, WY is recording 67 cfs (rising) as of August 17. This headwater gauge reflects upper Bear River conditions entering the system from Wyoming. The rising trend at this location merits monitoring, though the volume remains modest for peak irrigation demand.

Bear River at Pescadero, ID is the most operationally relevant gauge for Franklin County irrigators, recording 805 cfs (falling) as of August 17. This gauge captures Bear River flow after passage through Bear Lake and upstream storage operations, and it represents the primary supply signal for Franklin County agricultural diversions. The falling trend at this location is consistent with typical late-season recession and warrants close attention as August progresses.

Bear River near Corinne, UT records 824 cfs (rising) as of August 17, reflecting downstream Bear River conditions after Franklin County. The slight divergence between the falling Pescadero reading and the rising Corinne reading may reflect tributary inflows or operational releases in the intervening reach.

Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Dam near Hyrum, UT records 51 cfs (stable) as of August 16. This tributary gauge reflects conditions on a key Bear River tributary; stable flow at this level is consistent with normal baseflow conditions for mid-August.

Little Bear River at Paradise, UT records 18 cfs (stable) as of August 17. This tributary is in late-season baseflow regime; stable flows at this level are typical for this point in the season.

Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT records 66 cfs (stable) as of August 16. Stable baseflow on the Logan River reflects normal recession for August; no anomalies are indicated at this station.

Malad River near Bear River City, UT records 6 cfs, with the most recent reading dated May 15 — a significant data gap of approximately three months. This gauge should not be relied upon for current operational decisions until current data is available. Franklin County irrigators drawing from or monitoring this tributary reach should contact USGS or IDWR for updated information.

The overall streamflow picture for Franklin County shows the Bear River mainstem at Pescadero carrying meaningful volume (805 cfs) with a falling trend — the operationally critical variable for the remainder of the season.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 16, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 17, 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.