Franklin County, ID — Water Intelligence Brief

Bear River Basin | September 28, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Bear River flows are falling across all active gauges this week, with the mainstem recording 256 cfs at Pescadero — a late-season decline consistent with diminishing runoff contribution and increasing end-of-season demand drawdown. For Franklin County irrigators, this trajectory signals the final weeks of meaningful surface water availability before seasonal delivery wind-down. Reservoir storage data, 7-day streamflow forecasts, and detailed delivery reliability analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All monitored SNOTEL stations in the Bear River Basin are reporting at or near zero snow water equivalent, which is normal for this point in the calendar — median SWE for late September is also 0.0" at these elevations, so no below-normal signal is present in today's snapshot. Two stations — Emigrant Summit and Giveout — each show 0.2" SWE with 0.0" recorded depth, likely reflecting instrument sensitivity at trace accumulation levels rather than meaningful snowpack. Slug Creek Divide is experiencing data collection issues and is currently unavailable.

The relevant 2026 snowpack story is one of timing, not current deficit: across the Bear River Basin, stations melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout accelerated peak runoff into spring and compressed the summer carry-over window — context that shaped this season's streamflow trajectory but is now background history rather than an active supply threat.

Station readings (09/27/2026):

New snowpack accumulation at these stations is not expected to contribute meaningfully to irrigation supply until spring 2027.

Streamflow Conditions

Bear River mainstem flows are declining at every gauge where trend data is available, reflecting the characteristic late-season pattern of reduced snowmelt contribution and sustained agricultural withdrawals through the upper and middle basin.

At the Wyoming border entry point — Bear River at Border, WY — flow is 57 cfs and falling, indicating limited inflow arriving from the upper basin. By the time water reaches Bear River at Pescadero, ID (the primary Franklin County reference gauge), flow has increased to 256 cfs, reflecting tributary and drainage contributions along the corridor. Bear River near Corinne, UT records 226 cfs, also falling — a slight downstream reduction consistent with ongoing diversions in the lower reach.

Tributary gauges present a mixed picture. Logan River above State Dam near Logan, UT is holding at 72 cfs with a stable trend, suggesting some residual base flow support from groundwater-fed reaches of that system. Blacksmith Fork above Upper and Lower Canal Company's Dam near Hyrum, UT is also stable at 47 cfs. Little Bear River at Paradise, UT reads 23 cfs and is falling. The Malad River near Bear River City, UT shows only 6 cfs, though this reading carries a May 15 data date — this gauge should be treated as unreliable for current planning purposes until a more recent reading is confirmed.

The overall basin picture is one of orderly late-season decline with no acute low-flow emergency, but with flows trending lower on the falling gauges. Franklin County irrigators in the final weeks of the season should monitor Pescadero closely as the most directly relevant indicator of available mainstem supply.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 27, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 28, 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.