Sevier County Water Intelligence Brief

October 5, 2026 | Sevier River Basin

Situation Summary

Streamflow across the Sevier River Basin is mixed this week, with the Sevier River mainstem showing rising conditions at Kingston and Lynndyl while the upper basin at Hatch remains stable at 43 cfs — conditions that reflect typical late-season recession dynamics for early October. Irrigators in Sevier County should expect continued low-flow conditions consistent with post-irrigation-season norms, with no significant snowmelt recharge anticipated until late autumn or early winter. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Farnsworth Lake SNOTEL (reading through October 4, 2026):

Snow water equivalent (SWE) is 0.3 inches, with a snow depth of 0.0 inches recorded at the station. The trace SWE value with zero depth indicates residual measurement conditions at the end of the snow-free season — this is consistent with normal early-October conditions at this elevation. No percent-of-median figure is reported for this date, which indicates the historical median SWE for this date is also at or near 0.0 inches; the station is at its expected seasonal baseline, not below normal for this point in the calendar.

For context, 2026 was an early-melt year across the Mountain West: Farnsworth Lake and regional stations melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by an anomalous March heat wave. That timing affected the distribution of spring runoff into Sevier River Basin reservoirs and streams earlier in the season than typical. Snowpack accumulation for the 2026–2027 water year is now beginning, though meaningful SWE is not expected at most basin stations until November or later.

Streamflow Conditions

USGS gauge readings as of October 5, 2026:

Overall, basin flows are at low late-season levels consistent with the post-irrigation-season period. The rising signals at Kingston and Lynndyl are the most operationally relevant data point this week and should be watched for trend confirmation.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through October 4, 2026; USGS streamflow data through October 5, 2026

Data Current As Of: October 5, 2026 | 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.