Iron County Water Intelligence Brief

September 7, 2026 | Cedar-Parowan Closed Basin

Situation Summary

Coal Creek is running at 6 cfs near Cedar City — a stable late-season rate consistent with diminishing snowmelt contribution and early-season baseflow decline in a closed basin where surface water plays a supporting, not primary, role. For Parowan Valley alfalfa and hay operations, the operational reality this week is groundwater-driven: well performance and aquifer levels remain the controlling supply variable, not creek flows or canal schedules. 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 report zero or negligible snow water equivalent as of September 6, 2026 — a normal condition for this point in the calendar year. Brian Head (10,040 ft), Little Grassy, Long Flat, Midway Valley, and Yankee Reservoir all show 0.0" SWE and 0.0" snow depth. Castle Valley reports a nominal 0.2" SWE with no measurable depth, likely instrument noise at this time of year.

No station shows a percent-of-median figure alongside its reading, which means the historical median SWE for this date is also 0.0" — these stations are at their normal seasonal condition for early September, not below normal. The accurate 2026 signal is one of timing: stations across the Markagunt Plateau melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of their historical median meltout dates, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout is now background history.

Brian Head SNOTEL, as the primary high-elevation recharge indicator for both Cedar Valley and Parowan Valley aquifers, will not show meaningful SWE accumulation again until late October or November. The recharge season is closed until winter snowpack begins to build.

Streamflow Conditions

Coal Creek Near Cedar City (USGS 10242000): 6 cfs, stable — September 7, 2026

Coal Creek is the only active USGS streamflow gauge in Iron County. At 6 cfs, the creek is running at a low but stable late-summer rate. Frame this correctly: Coal Creek drains approximately 80.9 square miles of the Markagunt Plateau and terminates in a dry lake playa — it does not connect to the Sevier River, Virgin River, or any other watershed. It is a recharge-season signal, not an irrigation supply volume.

Parowan Valley gauge gap: No active USGS gauge exists on Parowan Creek or Center Creek. Parowan Valley surface water conditions cannot be assessed from federal gauge data. Irrigators in Parowan and Paragonah should contact Utah Division of Water Rights for local stream monitoring data and rely on well-level records as the primary operational indicator.

Iron County is a closed basin. Snowmelt that falls on these mountains stays here or is consumed here — there is no downstream outlet, no connection to larger river systems, and no external water source to draw upon.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 6, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 7, 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, Cedar City Water Department, and local irrigation companies serving Parowan Valley agricultural users for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.