Iron County Water Intelligence Brief

Cedar-Parowan Closed Basin | June 11, 2026

Situation Summary

Iron County's water supply story is fundamentally a closed-basin groundwater story: Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley are internally draining systems with no outlet to any larger river network, and both underlying aquifers have been in structural overdraft for decades — a chronic condition that no single season of precipitation can reverse. The 2026 snowpack season ended 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date across all monitored Markagunt Plateau stations, compressing the natural recharge window that drives aquifer recovery. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All six SNOTEL stations monitoring the Markagunt Plateau and surrounding terrain reported zero snow water equivalent (SWE) as of June 10, 2026 — stations have fully melted out for the season.

| Station | SWE (June 10) | Snow Depth |

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

| Brian Head (10,040 ft) | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Castle Valley | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Little Grassy | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Long Flat | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Midway Valley | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Yankee Reservoir | 0.0" | N/A |

Critical framing note: The 0.0" SWE readings at these stations should not be read as "historically low" conditions for this date. At this point in the calendar, the seasonal median SWE for each of these stations is also 0.0" — full seasonal meltout by early-to-mid June is normal. These stations are at their expected end-of-season condition.

The operative concern for 2026 is timing: across the Markagunt Plateau, snowpack melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout is consequential for Iron County groundwater recharge because it compressed and front-loaded the recharge pulse. The window during which snowmelt percolates through fractured bedrock and infiltrates toward the Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley aquifers was shorter and earlier than typical — and recharge from this season is now largely complete.

Brian Head SNOTEL, at 10,040 feet, is the primary snowpack indicator for Markagunt Plateau conditions. Its early meltout is the leading signal for the 2026 natural recharge season. The residual 1.0-inch snow depth reading at Brian Head on June 10 likely reflects minor late-season remnant pack or measurement artifact — SWE of 0.0" confirms no meaningful water content remains.

For Parowan Valley irrigators and Cedar City water managers alike: the 2026 natural recharge season is effectively over. Any aquifer response to this season's snowmelt has already occurred or is in its final stages. Planning for the remainder of 2026 and into the 2026–27 recharge season should proceed on that basis.

Streamflow Conditions

Coal Creek Near Cedar City (USGS 10242000): 12 cfs — stable, as of June 11, 2026

Coal Creek is the only active USGS streamflow gauge in Iron County. It should be understood as a recharge signal and snowmelt indicator for Cedar Valley conditions — not as a direct irrigation supply source. At an annual average of approximately 24,200 acre-feet, Coal Creek is a small stream by Mountain West standards, and Iron County agriculture does not rely on canal diversions from it as a primary supply.

A reading of 12 cfs, stable, in mid-June is consistent with post-peak, late-season baseflow conditions following an early meltout year. The spring runoff pulse that would typically extend into late June or early July has already passed — a direct consequence of the 4–6 week early meltout across the Markagunt Plateau. Cedar Valley recharge from Coal Creek corridor infiltration for 2026 is substantially complete.

Parowan Valley monitoring gap: No active USGS gauge exists on Parowan Creek or Center Creek — the two principal surface drainages in Parowan Valley (HUC 16030001). This is a significant monitoring gap. Parowan Valley surface water and groundwater conditions cannot be directly assessed from available gauge data; users must rely on groundwater management plan reporting, local well monitoring, and Utah Division of Water Rights records for current valley conditions.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 10, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 11, 2026

Data Current As Of: June 11, 2026 | Utah Division of Water Rights

Important Disclaimers: This brief provides automated analysis for informational purposes only. Specific numerical claims have not been independently verified. Iron County's Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley are internally draining closed basins — water does not leave through any river connection to the Sevier, Virgin, Colorado, or Bear River systems. Aquifer overdraft in both valleys is a chronic structural condition reflecting decades of pumping in excess of sustainable recharge; it is not a seasonal drought condition and will not be resolved by any single above-average water year. Consult official sources including your local water district, Utah Division of Water Rights (State Engineer — issues and administers groundwater management plans for Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley aquifers; the governing regulatory documents for long-term aquifer protection; waterrights.utah.gov), Iron County Water Conservancy District, Cedar City Water Department, and local irrigation companies serving Parowan Valley agricultural users for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.