Salt Lake County Water Intelligence Brief

September 7, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Jordan River flows at 1700 South are holding at 208 cfs as of this morning, while Little Cottonwood Creek at its Jordan River confluence has declined to 3 cfs and continues to fall — a pattern consistent with late-season baseflow recession typical for early September. For Salt Lake County's three municipal suppliers — Salt Lake City Public Utilities, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, and Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy — the operational question now is how imported Provo River Project supply via the Provo Reservoir Canal, delivered from USBR-managed Deer Creek and Jordanelle reservoirs in Wasatch County, is tracking against late-season demand as canyon tributary contributions diminish. Reservoir storage data, seven-day forecast details, and supplier-specific delivery outlook are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All five SNOTEL stations in the Salt Lake County–area network are reporting at their expected seasonal baseline for early September. Snow water equivalent (SWE) readings reflect normal end-of-summer conditions — not a below-normal anomaly — because the historical median SWE for these stations at this calendar date is also 0.0 inches.

| Station | SWE (09/06) | Snow Depth |

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

| Atwater | 0.0" | 2.0" |

| Brighton | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Dry Fork | 0.0" | 1.0" |

| Mill-D North | 0.0" | 0.0" |

| Snowbird | 0.2" | 0.0" |

Important record caveat: Atwater (station 1308:UT:SNTL) has been reporting only since August 2022 — fewer than four years of record. For historical trend comparisons, Brighton (reporting since 1986), Mill-D North (since 1988), and Snowbird (since 1989) are the appropriate reference stations and should be weighted accordingly in any multi-year analysis.

The relevant 2026 snowpack story is not current SWE readings but meltout timing: stations across this network melted out approximately four to six weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout is now background context. The operational consequence — reduced late-season streamflow contribution from canyon snowmelt — is already reflected in the falling tributary gauge readings described below.

Streamflow Conditions

Two active USGS gauges are transmitting current data for Salt Lake County. Users should be aware of a significant data gap: gauges on Big Cottonwood Creek (10168499, 10169000), Mill Creek (10170000), and Parleys Creek (10171500) are discontinued and not transmitting current data. For canyon-specific flow information beyond Little Cottonwood, contact Salt Lake City Public Utilities directly.

Jordan River at 1700 South, Salt Lake City is reading 208 cfs as of September 7, with a stable trend. This flow reflects the integrated Jordan River system — urban return flows, upstream Utah Lake contributions, and ongoing canal diversions — rather than direct mountain runoff.

Little Cottonwood Creek at Jordan River near SLC is reading 3 cfs as of September 7, with a falling trend. This low and declining reading is consistent with the late-season recession expected after early meltout and minimal late-summer precipitation. Little Cottonwood Creek is a direct tributary feeding municipal diversion infrastructure; continued decline bears monitoring by Salt Lake City Public Utilities canyon operations staff.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 6, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 7, 2026

Data Current As Of: September 7, 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, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Upper Colorado Region (for Deer Creek and Jordanelle reservoir operations), and Salt Lake City Public Utilities (canyon watershed storage) for regulatory decisions and water rights administration. Jordan River flows directly affect Great Salt Lake elevation; water users are encouraged to monitor ongoing Utah Great Salt Lake elevation legislation and associated water rights proceedings for potential operational implications.