Gooding County Water Intelligence Brief

July 13, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Gooding County enters the peak irrigation window with Snake River deliveries underway and ESPA spring discharge at the Malad River near Gooding reading 101 cfs — reflecting the relatively stable, aquifer-driven flow that is the lifeblood of Hagerman Valley trout aquaculture. The Big Wood River headwater snowpack at Galena Summit melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, meaning tributary inflow contributions to the Snake River in the Gooding area are complete for the season. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Galena Summit (SNOTEL 490:ID:SNTL) — July 12, 2026

Snow water equivalent: 0.0" | Snow depth: 1.0"

Galena Summit, the primary SNOTEL station monitoring Big Wood River headwaters in the Sawtooth Range, is reporting 0.0" SWE with a residual 1.0" of snow depth — a trace remnant consistent with full seasonal meltout. No percent-of-median figure is shown for this date, which indicates the median SWE for mid-July is also 0.0"; this station is at its normal seasonal condition for this point in the calendar.

The meaningful signal for 2026 is not today's reading but meltout timing: Galena Summit melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave across the Mountain West. That early release of snowmelt water into the Big Wood River system occurred weeks sooner than typical, accelerating tributary inflows to the Snake River in the Gooding area well ahead of peak irrigation demand. No additional Big Wood tributary snowmelt contribution should be expected for the remainder of the 2026 irrigation season.

Streamflow Conditions

Malad River near Gooding ID (USGS 13152500) — July 13, 2026

Current flow: 101 cfs | Trend: Falling

The Malad River near Gooding is the primary indicator of ESPA spring discharge for the Hagerman Valley. Unlike snowmelt-driven rivers, the Malad carries water that originates as groundwater emerging from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer through the Thousand Springs complex — where massive springs discharge directly from the Snake River canyon walls. This gives the Malad a characteristically stable, year-round flow profile that responds to multi-year aquifer levels rather than seasonal precipitation or snowmelt timing.

At 101 cfs and falling, the Malad is providing a current spring discharge reading relevant to trout aquaculture operators who depend on steady, uninterrupted spring water flow. A falling trend warrants monitoring, though modest short-term fluctuations are within the normal operational range for ESPA spring discharge. Trout farm operators holding IDWR spring water appropriations should note the direction of change and confirm flow conditions at their individual spring intakes.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through July 12, 2026; USGS streamflow data through July 13, 2026

Data Current As Of: Data retrieved July 13, 2026. SNOTEL data via USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; streamflow data via USGS National Water Information System.

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, Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR — administers Water District 36 for middle Snake River and tributary water rights; also administers separate spring water appropriations for Hagerman Valley trout aquaculture and dairy operations), Idaho Department of Fish and Game (co-manages Thousand Springs State Park area), and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region (Boise office — upstream context) for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.