Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Sevier County, UT

September 21, 2026

Sevier County Water Intelligence Brief

September 21, 2026 | Sevier River Basin

Situation Summary

Late-season flows across the Sevier River Basin are low and mixed in trajectory, with the Sevier River near Lynndyl falling and no recent data available at the Sigurd gauge, signaling a tightening supply picture as the irrigation season winds down. Irrigators drawing from the lower basin should closely monitor delivery reliability through the final weeks of the season, as declining mainstem flows reduce the buffer for junior water rights holders. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Farnsworth Lake SNOTEL (reading through September 20, 2026):

Snow water equivalent (SWE) stands at 0.3 inches with a snow depth of 0.0 inches. No percent-of-median figure is reported for this date, which reflects that the median SWE for late September at this station is also effectively 0.0 inches — this is a normal seasonal condition for this point in the calendar, not a below-normal reading. Early-season accumulation has not yet begun in measurable form.

As background context: 2026 was characterized by an anomalous March heat wave across the Mountain West that caused snowpack to melt out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date. That early meltout drove the basin's summer supply picture and is now historical context rather than an active concern. The relevant question for late September is when meaningful early-season snowfall will arrive and begin building the 2026–2027 snowpack that will govern next year's irrigation supply.

Streamflow Conditions

Current gauge readings across the Sevier River Basin present a varied picture of late-season conditions:

  • Manti Creek below Dugway Creek, near Manti (sevier-river-basin): 2 cfs, stable. This is the primary in-county streamflow indicator for upper basin conditions. Flow at this level reflects typical late-season recession and is consistent with reduced irrigation demand and minimal snowmelt contribution.
  • Sevier River at Hatch (sevier-river-basin): 45 cfs, stable. This is the highest reported flow in the basin and reflects upper Sevier contributions from the Panguitch Lake and Mammoth Creek drainages. Stable conditions at Hatch provide some continuity of upper-basin input.
  • Sevier River near Kingston (sevier-river-basin): 8 cfs, stable. A notable step-down from the Hatch reading, reflecting diversions and consumption along the intervening reach. Stable but modest.
  • Sevier River near Lynndyl (sevier-river-basin): 25 cfs, falling. The falling trend at Lynndyl is the most operationally significant signal in this brief. As the lower-basin delivery point, declining flows here suggest continued late-season tightening that will affect the remaining delivery window for lower-priority water rights holders.
  • Sevier River near Sigurd: No recent flow data available. The absence of current data at Sigurd represents a monitoring gap at a mid-basin location. Users dependent on mid-basin deliveries should contact their water district directly for current delivery status.

    • Taken together, the basin shows a pattern typical of late-season recession: modest upper-basin inflows, significant mid-basin consumption, and a falling trend at the lower end. No gauge indicates rising or recovering conditions at this time.

    Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact the Utah Division of Water Rights (waterrights.utah.gov) to verify your water right priority date and current administrative status before making any late-season irrigation decisions.
  • Reach out to the Sevier River Water Users Association for current reservoir delivery scheduling and any end-of-season allocation updates specific to your district.
  • Check the Utah Division of Water Resources for current storage status at Sevier River Basin reservoirs including Sevier Bridge (Yuba), Piute, Otter Creek, Johnson Valley, and DMAD Reservoir.
  • Monitor the USGS National Water Information System (waterdata.usgs.gov) for updated readings at the Lynndyl gauge and for any restoration of data at the Sigurd gauge.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 20, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 21, 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, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 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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