Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Sevier County, UT

June 22, 2026

Sevier County Water Intelligence Brief

June 22, 2026 | Sevier River Basin

Situation Summary

Snowpack in the Sevier River Basin has fully melted out, with the Farnsworth Lake SNOTEL station recording only 0.3" SWE and 1.0" snow depth as of June 21 — reflecting a 2026 meltout that occurred 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date. Streamflow patterns across the basin are mixed, with the Sevier River near Lynndyl running at notably elevated levels while upper and mid-basin gauges show low or falling flows. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

The Farnsworth Lake SNOTEL station (the sole reporting station for Sevier County) recorded 0.3" SWE and 1.0" snow depth as of June 21, 2026. No percent-of-median figure is reported for this date, which reflects that the seasonal median SWE at this station is also effectively 0.0" by late June — the station is at its normal end-of-season condition for this point in the calendar.

The meaningful signal for 2026 is not today's SWE reading but rather when meltout occurred: the basin experienced meltout 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave across the Mountain West. That early meltout means the seasonal snowmelt pulse that typically sustains late-spring and early-summer streamflows has already passed. With no significant snowpack remaining to release, the basin is now relying entirely on any remaining soil moisture, groundwater discharge, and whatever late-season precipitation may occur to support streamflows through the remainder of the irrigation season.

Streamflow Conditions

Basin streamflow presents a notably uneven picture across the five active USGS gauges, with wide variation by location.

  • Manti Creek below Dugway Creek, near Manti — 9 cfs, falling (June 22). Upper tributary flows are declining, consistent with the post-meltout seasonal transition.
  • Sevier River at Hatch — 62 cfs, rising (June 22). Upper Sevier conditions near the headwaters show a rising trend, which may reflect localized precipitation or delayed tributary contributions from southern reaches.
  • Sevier River near Kingston — 3 cfs, falling (June 22). Mid-basin flows at Kingston are critically low and declining, indicating significant water is being consumed or diverted between Hatch and Kingston, or that tributary inflows are insufficient to sustain mainstem flows through this reach.
  • Sevier River near Lynndyl — 483 cfs, rising (June 22). Lower basin flows near Lynndyl are strikingly elevated relative to upper and mid-basin conditions, and are trending upward. This divergence from upper-basin conditions warrants attention; water managers should consult with the Utah Division of Water Resources and local canal operators for operational context.
  • Sevier River near Sigurd — No recent flow data available (June 22). The absence of current data at Sigurd creates a significant gap in mid-basin situational awareness, falling between the Kingston and Lynndyl gauges. Users dependent on flows in this reach should contact the Utah Division of Water Resources or local water district for alternative monitoring data.

    • The combination of falling flows at upper and mid-basin gauges, a data gap at Sigurd, and elevated lower-basin flows at Lynndyl makes basin-wide supply planning complex. Irrigators in the middle Sevier corridor should exercise caution and maintain close contact with their water delivery entities.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Utah Division of Water Resources (Salt Lake City) to request current storage status for Sevier Bridge Reservoir (Yuba), Piute Reservoir, Otter Creek Reservoir, Johnson Valley Reservoir, and DMAD Reservoir, as reservoir levels are the primary remaining supply buffer with snowpack exhausted.
  • Contact the Utah State Engineer's Office / Utah Division of Water Rights (waterrights.utah.gov) to verify your water right priority and confirm current administrative call conditions on the Sevier River before adjusting diversion volumes.
  • Reach out to your local water conservancy district or canal company — including the Sevier Water Users Association — to confirm current delivery schedules, as mid-basin flows at Kingston (3 cfs, falling) suggest limited available supply in that reach.
  • Monitor updates from the USGS Utah Water Science Center for restoration of flow data at the Sevier River near Sigurd gauge, which currently shows no recent data and represents a critical mid-basin monitoring gap.

    • 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: 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 Resources, and Utah Division of Water Rights for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.

    Data & Disclaimers

    Sources: NRCS SNOTEL network · USGS National Water Information System · National Weather Service

    This brief provides automated analysis for informational purposes only. Consult official sources including your local water district and state Division of Water Rights for regulatory decisions. This document does not constitute legal, regulatory, or engineering advice.

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