Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Franklin County, ID

August 24, 2026

Water Intelligence Brief

Franklin County, ID | Bear River Basin

August 24, 2026

Situation Summary

Franklin County enters late August with snowpack fully melted out across all Bear River Basin SNOTEL stations — a condition that arrived 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date due to an anomalous March heat wave across the Mountain West. Bear River streamflows show a mixed picture, with flows stable at key points but declining at others, reflecting the basin's reliance on stored and baseflow supply rather than active snowmelt at this stage of the season. 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 conditions consistent with full seasonal meltout as of August 23, 2026. The critical context is not today's readings — which reflect normal late-August conditions — but rather *when* meltout occurred: approximately 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median meltout date, meaning the basin's snowmelt pulse concluded well ahead of schedule and provided less late-season carry into summer than a typical year.

Station-by-station readings:

  • Bear River RS: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Emigrant Summit: SWE 0.2", Snow Depth 1.0" — the only station showing any measurable snow water equivalent; residual at this station does not represent meaningful supply contribution at this date
  • Franklin Basin: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Garden City Summit: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Giveout: SWE 0.4", Snow Depth 0.0" — a trace SWE reading with no accompanying snow depth, likely instrument artifact rather than meaningful snowpack
  • Slug Creek Divide: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • Tony Grove Lake: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"
  • USU Doc Daniel: SWE 0.0", Snow Depth 0.0"

    • No percent-of-median figures are shown for any station, which is expected — the median SWE for late August is also 0.0" at all stations, meaning current readings reflect normal seasonal conditions for this calendar date. The supply concern for 2026 is the early-season meltout timing, not an anomaly in today's numbers.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Seven USGS gauges monitor Bear River Basin flows relevant to Franklin County operations, with readings as of August 24, 2026:

  • Bear River at Border, WY: 58 cfs, *falling* — upper basin inflows entering Idaho from Wyoming are low and declining, reflecting limited natural runoff contribution at this point in the season.
  • Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 883 cfs, *stable* — the primary mainstem gauge for Franklin County. Current flows are stable, likely reflecting reservoir release management rather than natural runoff. This is the most operationally significant reading for local irrigators.
  • Bear River near Corinne, UT: 200 cfs, *falling* — downstream at the Utah border, flows are declining, indicating net consumptive use and losses between Pescadero and Corinne.
  • Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Dam near Hyrum, UT: 50 cfs, *stable* — a tributary gauge in the Cache Valley system; stable conditions.
  • Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 16 cfs, *falling* (as of 08/23) — low and declining; limited contribution from this tributary system.
  • Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 66 cfs, *falling* (as of 08/22) — declining flows on the Logan River, a key tributary system for the broader Bear River delivery network.
  • Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs — data is dated to 05/15 and should not be used for current planning; treat this gauge as effectively inactive for present-day analysis.

    • The pattern across the basin is one of stable-to-declining late-season flows. The 883 cfs reading at Pescadero reflects relatively substantial mainstem flow, but the falling trend at Border, Corinne, Little Bear River, and Logan River indicates that natural contributions are diminishing. Late-season supply reliability will depend on reservoir release decisions upstream.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Idaho Department of Water Resources Eastern Regional Office in Pocatello ((208) 525-7161) to verify current water right priority administration status on the Bear River and any active curtailment or delivery notices affecting Franklin County.
  • Check with the Bear River Commission and PacifiCorp for current Bear Lake storage status and scheduled release operations, as Bear Lake is the primary regional carryover storage facility governing late-season Bear River flows.
  • Contact Glendale Reservoir management or your local Cub River irrigation district to confirm current storage levels and remaining delivery capacity for the Cub River system serving Franklin County.
  • Review the NRCS Water Supply Outlook for the Bear River Basin at the NRCS Utah-Idaho Snow Survey office for any updated seasonal supply forecasts relevant to late irrigation season planning.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 23, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 24, 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 — September 21, 2026Franklin County Brief — September 14, 2026Franklin County Brief — September 7, 2026Franklin County Brief — August 31, 2026Franklin County Brief — August 17, 2026Franklin County Brief — August 10, 2026Franklin 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 22, 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

    Stay Updated

    Water intelligence, delivered.

    Free seasonal updates on water conditions across the Mountain West.

    Free · Delivered when reports publish