Iron County Water Intelligence Brief

June 22, 2026 | Cedar-Parowan Closed Basin

Situation Summary

Iron County's water story is defined by structural aquifer overdraft in two closed basins — Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley — where decades of pumping have outpaced recharge, and no surface water connection to any external river system exists. The 2026 snowpack season on the Markagunt Plateau ended 4–6 weeks earlier than the historical median meltout date, compressing the recharge window for both valley aquifers. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All six SNOTEL stations reporting for the Cedar-Parowan Closed Basin show 0.0" snow water equivalent and 0.0" snow depth as of June 21, 2026 — a normal reading for this point in the calendar, as median SWE for late June is also 0.0" at all stations. The meaningful signal for 2026 is not today's reading but the season's trajectory: Brian Head (10,040 ft), Castle Valley, Little Grassy, Long Flat, Midway Valley, and Yankee Reservoir all melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of their historical median meltout dates, driven by an anomalous March heat wave across the Mountain West.

For Iron County's groundwater-dependent agriculture, this timing matters more than today's zeroes. The Markagunt Plateau snowpack — with Brian Head SNOTEL as the primary indicator — is the primary natural recharge source for both the Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley aquifers. An early meltout means the recharge-season pulse of snowmelt infiltration arrived and concluded well ahead of schedule, leaving the remainder of the irrigation season without the sustained late-spring soil moisture and streamflow that would otherwise support aquifer recharge. This does not resolve the chronic structural overdraft — no single snowpack season can — but it means the 2026 recharge contribution was front-loaded and likely shorter in duration than average years.

Streamflow Conditions

Coal Creek Near Cedar City (USGS 10242000): 12 cfs, stable, as of June 22, 2026.

Coal Creek is Iron County's only active USGS streamflow gauge. At 12 cfs with a stable trend, the creek is carrying modest early-summer baseflow consistent with post-meltout conditions. This reading should be interpreted as a recharge-season signal — an indicator of Markagunt Plateau snowmelt runoff and shallow infiltration opportunity — not as an irrigation supply volume. Coal Creek's drainage area is approximately 80.9 square miles, and the creek terminates internally in the Cedar Valley playa with no outlet to any external river system.

Iron County agriculture does not depend on Coal Creek for direct diversion. Cedar Valley groundwater recharge benefits from Coal Creek corridor infiltration, but the volume is modest relative to total aquifer demand.

Parowan Valley gauge gap: No active USGS gauge exists on Parowan Creek or Center Creek in Parowan Valley (HUC 16030001). Current surface water conditions in Parowan Valley cannot be assessed from USGS data. Parowan Valley irrigators and managers should contact the Utah Division of Water Rights directly for local stream monitoring data and rely on well-level reporting under the Parowan Valley Groundwater Management Plan for aquifer condition tracking.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 21, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 22, 2026

Data Current As Of: June 22, 2026

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, Utah Division of Water Rights (State Engineer — issues and administers groundwater management plans for Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley aquifers; the governing documents for long-term aquifer protection; waterrights.utah.gov), Iron County Water Conservancy District (local water authority), Cedar City Water Department (primary municipal water provider for Cedar City area), and local irrigation companies serving Parowan Valley agricultural users for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.