Iron County Water Intelligence Brief

August 3, 2026 | Cedar-Parowan Closed Basin

Situation Summary

Iron County's Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley are structurally overdrafted closed basins where groundwater pumping has exceeded sustainable recharge for decades — a chronic condition that 2026 precipitation cannot resolve. Across the Markagunt Plateau, all SNOTEL stations have reached their normal August meltout condition, though the 2026 snowpack melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the recharge window that feeds both valley aquifers. 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 elevations report 0.0" snow water equivalent (SWE) and 0.0" snow depth as of August 2, 2026. This is the normal seasonal condition for early August — no percent-of-median figures are shown because the historical median SWE for these stations at this date is also 0.0". Stations at or near 0.0" SWE in early August is not an anomaly in itself.

The operationally significant signal for 2026 is meltout timing: Brian Head (10,040 ft), Castle Valley, Little Grassy, Long Flat, Midway Valley, and Yankee Reservoir all melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of their historical median meltout dates, driven by an anomalous March heat wave across the Mountain West. For Parowan Valley irrigators and Cedar Valley groundwater users, this means the primary natural recharge pulse — snowmelt infiltrating through Markagunt Plateau soils into the underlying aquifer system — arrived and largely concluded well ahead of schedule. The recharge window has closed for the 2026 season.

Brian Head SNOTEL (1,154:UT:SNTL, 10,040 ft) is the primary snowpack indicator for both Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley aquifer recharge outlooks. Its early meltout this season is the defining snowpack signal for Iron County water managers.

Streamflow Conditions

Coal Creek Near Cedar City (USGS 10242000): 7 cfs, falling, as of August 3, 2026.

Coal Creek is Iron County's only active USGS streamflow gauge. At approximately 7 cfs and falling in early August, the creek is reflecting late-season baseflow conditions consistent with the completed snowmelt season. Importantly, Coal Creek should be read as a recharge signal for the Cedar Valley aquifer, not as a direct irrigation supply volume. With an 80.9 square mile drainage area and an annual average flow on the order of 24,200 acre-feet, Coal Creek is small by Mountain West standards. The falling trend at this point in the season is normal; the earlier-than-usual meltout in 2026 means peak recharge-season flows occurred and receded ahead of schedule.

Parowan Valley gauge gap: No active USGS streamflow gauge exists on Parowan Creek or Center Creek in Parowan Valley (HUC 16030001). This is a known monitoring gap. Parowan Valley water conditions cannot be assessed from real-time streamflow data — irrigators and managers must rely on groundwater management plan reporting, local well monitoring, and direct contact with the Utah Division of Water Rights for current valley conditions. Users seeking Parowan Creek or Center Creek data should contact Utah Division of Water Rights directly.

Iron County's closed-basin character means these streams terminate internally — Coal Creek in a playa, Parowan Creek in the Little Salt Lake vicinity. Water does not leave Iron County through any surface water connection to the Sevier River, Virgin River, or Colorado River. Snowmelt that falls on these mountains stays here or is consumed here.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 2, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 3, 2026

Data Current As Of: Utah Division of Water Rights

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.