Sevier County Water Intelligence Brief

August 10, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

The Sevier River Basin enters mid-August 2026 in a late-season supply posture shaped by an exceptionally early snowmelt season, with the basin's snowpack having melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date following an anomalous March heat wave. Streamflow conditions are mixed across the basin, with meaningful divergence between upper and lower reaches that warrants close monitoring for irrigators relying on late-season deliveries. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Farnsworth Lake SNOTEL Station (as of August 9, 2026)

The Farnsworth Lake station is reporting a trace SWE reading of 0.2" against a measured snow depth of 0.0", which reflects standard late-summer instrument conditions rather than meaningful snowpack accumulation. For this point in the calendar year, a snow depth of 0.0" is normal — the median SWE for mid-August at this station is also effectively zero, meaning the station is at its expected seasonal baseline today.

The critical 2026 snowpack story is not the current reading but the meltout timing: the basin's snowpack melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by the anomalous March heat event. That early meltout has direct consequences for late-season streamflow sustainability, as the extended spring and early-summer snowmelt pulse that typically supports irrigation into August and early September was compressed into an earlier window this year.

No additional SNOTEL stations are reporting for Sevier County. Farnsworth Lake remains the sole network reference point for this basin.

Streamflow Conditions

Basin streamflow presents a divided picture, with notable contrasts between the upper Sevier, mid-basin, and lower basin reaches.

Manti Creek Below Dugway Creek, Near Manti, UT

Manti Creek is running at low volume and trending downward, consistent with late-season conditions following early snowmelt. This gauge is a primary in-county indicator for the upper Sevier watershed's tributary condition.

Sevier River at Hatch, UT

The Hatch gauge is the upstream anchor for the Sevier River mainstem and is currently showing a rising trend — a notable signal for this time of year. The cause of this rise is not specified in available data; irrigators and water managers should monitor whether this reflects a short-term pulse or a more sustained condition.

Sevier River Near Kingston, UT

The Kingston gauge shows very low flow and a falling trend, indicating significant attenuation between the Hatch and Kingston reaches. At 2 cfs, this section of the river is providing minimal supply for any downstream-dependent users in this reach.

Sevier River Near Lynndyl, UT

The Lynndyl gauge at the lower basin is reporting substantially higher flows at 196 cfs with a stable trend. This divergence from the extremely low Kingston reading is a significant structural feature of the Sevier system and likely reflects contributions from reservoir releases, irrigation return flows, or tributary inflows between these points. Lower basin users near Lynndyl are seeing comparatively robust late-season flows at this time.

Sevier River Near Sigurd, UT

The absence of current data at the Sigurd gauge — located in the mid-basin reach critical to Sevier County agricultural users — represents a meaningful monitoring gap. Users who depend on this reach for operational planning should contact the Utah Division of Water Resources or their local water district for current conditions until gauge data is restored.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 9, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 10, 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 the Utah State Engineer's Office for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.