Water Intelligence Brief

Franklin County, ID | Bear River Basin

September 14, 2026

Situation Summary

Bear River flows through the basin are active and mixed in trend, with the Pescadero gauge registering 1,060 cfs and rising — a notably strong reading for mid-September that signals meaningful late-season delivery capacity for Franklin County irrigators this week. Upstream conditions at the Wyoming border show only 51 cfs rising, reflecting typical headwater late-season diminishment, while downstream reaches near Corinne, UT are holding at 215 cfs stable, suggesting the mid-basin is absorbing and redistributing inflows without dramatic loss. As irrigation season winds toward close, producers should assess remaining crop water needs against current delivery availability now, before flows tighten further into fall. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All eight SNOTEL stations monitoring the Bear River Basin above Franklin County are reporting at or near zero snow water equivalent (SWE) as of September 13, 2026 — a normal seasonal condition for this date, as the historical median SWE across these stations is also at or near zero by mid-September.

Station readings are as follows:

The minimal readings at Emigrant Summit (0.2" SWE) and Giveout (0.4" SWE) represent trace early-season accumulation or instrument artifacts rather than meaningful snowpack — these readings carry no practical water supply significance for current irrigation planning. The depth readings at Emigrant Summit and Slug Creek Divide (both 1.0") likewise reflect negligible early-season conditions.

As background context: the 2026 season was characterized by an anomalous March heat wave across the Mountain West that drove snowpack meltout approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date at these stations. That early meltout accelerated runoff into spring and reduced summer streamflow buffering — a condition now fully played out and reflected in current late-season streamflow conditions rather than in snowpack readings.

No meaningful snowpack-derived water supply contribution to the Bear River system is expected for the remainder of the current irrigation season. Water supply outlook for the balance of the season depends entirely on reservoir storage, current streamflow, and precipitation events.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River Basin gauge readings as of September 14, 2026 show a varied picture across the watershed, with the mid-basin Pescadero reach notably strong relative to late-season norms.

Bear River at Border, WY: 51 cfs, rising. Headwater inflows from Wyoming are modest, consistent with late-season conditions following snowmelt completion, but the rising trend warrants monitoring as an upstream signal.

Bear River at Pescadero, ID: 1,060 cfs, rising. This is the most operationally significant reading for Franklin County irrigators. Flow at this gauge reflects mid-basin accumulation including tributary contributions and any reservoir management releases upstream. The rising trend at 1,060 cfs represents strong late-season availability relative to what might be expected this far into September.

Bear River near Corinne, UT: 215 cfs, stable. Downstream of the primary Franklin County service area, this gauge reflects water moving through to the lower basin and Great Salt Lake system. Stable conditions here suggest no abrupt downstream drawdown event is occurring.

Blacksmith Fork ab Up and L Co.'s Dam nr Hyrum, UT: 48 cfs, stable. This southern tributary reach is stable and within expected late-season range.

Little Bear River at Paradise, UT: 23 cfs, falling. The falling trend on this tributary is consistent with late-season diminishment as evapotranspiration demand persists and snowmelt contribution is fully exhausted.

Logan River above State Dam, near Logan, UT: 61 cfs, stable. Cache Valley's primary tributary is holding steady, a moderately favorable signal for lower-basin contributions.

Malad River near Bear River City, UT: 6 cfs. Note that this reading is dated May 15 — this gauge has not reported current data and should not be used for operational planning until current readings are confirmed. Franklin County water managers should treat this as a data gap.

The divergence between a rising, high-volume Pescadero reading and the falling trend on the Little Bear River illustrates the patchwork late-season condition typical of the Bear River system: mid-basin flows can remain robust through reservoir management and tributary timing while smaller tributaries wind down. Franklin County irrigators with direct Pescadero-reach diversions are in a more favorable position this week than those relying on smaller tributary systems.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 13, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 14, 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.