Water Intelligence Brief · Archive

Summit County, UT

September 28, 2026

Summit County, UT — Water Intelligence Brief

September 28, 2026 | Weber Basin & Provo Basin Headwaters

Situation Summary

Summit County's dual role as headwaters source for both the Weber River and upper Provo River systems is fully visible in current conditions: streamflows on both sides of the county are falling as the irrigation season winds down, with late-September deliveries tightening for Kamas Valley agricultural users along the upper Provo corridor and WBWCD system inputs from the Weber side running at modest but stable late-season levels. Snowpack at all four in-county SNOTEL stations stands at seasonal-normal bare-ground conditions — no early-season accumulation has yet developed at monitoring elevations. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All four Summit County SNOTEL stations report conditions consistent with normal late-September bare-ground status. No anomaly flags apply to current SWE readings — at this calendar date, zero or near-zero SWE is the historical median condition, not a below-normal signal.

  • Beaver Divide (09/27): 0.0" SWE, 0.0" depth — seasonal normal bare ground, monitoring upper Provo headwaters terrain.
  • Trial Lake (09/27): 0.9" SWE, 0.0" depth — the single non-zero SWE reading across in-county stations; the trace moisture signal is noted but does not represent meaningful early accumulation.
  • Chalk Creek #1 (09/27): 0.1" SWE, 2.0" depth — Weber River headwaters station at 9,160 ft; the 2.0" snow depth with minimal SWE suggests a light early dusting with low water content, not a significant accumulation event.
  • Chalk Creek #2 (09/27): 0.1" SWE, 0.0" depth — Weber River headwaters at 8,200 ft; trace SWE, bare ground.

    • The relevant 2026 snowpack story is timing, not current readings: across Summit County and the broader Mountain West, snowpack melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date following an anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout drove the accelerated runoff pulse that shaped summer streamflow — it is now background context as the county moves into the shoulder season between irrigation close and first meaningful accumulation.

    Streamflow Conditions

    Summit County's gauges present a split picture consistent with late-September recession across both watersheds.

    Weber Basin (Park City / WBWCD System Side):

  • Weber River near Oakley (09/28): 57 cfs, falling — upper Weber mainstem above the primary reservoir system; declining trajectory reflects normal late-season recession.
  • Weber River near Coalville (09/28): 26 cfs, stable — mid-reach between Oakley and Echo; the stable reading at lower volume suggests tributary contributions are minimal and mainstem recession is the dominant signal.
  • Weber River at Echo (09/28): 50 cfs, stable — the primary integrator gauge measuring total upper Weber inflow entering the WBWCD reservoir system at Echo Reservoir. This is Summit County's Weber-side contribution to downstream deliveries. Stable flow at this gauge is the most operationally significant Weber-side reading for WBWCD system managers.
  • Weber River at Gateway (09/28): 118 cfs, falling — downstream of the in-county system; higher volume reflects reservoir releases and tributary additions below Summit County.
  • East Canyon Creek near Jeremy Ranch (09/23): 3 cfs, falling — Park City municipal watershed corridor; very low late-season flow consistent with post-peak recession. Most recent reading is September 23; updated data should be confirmed with USGS.

    • Provo Basin (Kamas Valley Agricultural Side):

  • Provo River near Woodland (09/27): 38 cfs, falling — the primary indicator of what Summit County is contributing to the Provo system as water moves south toward Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County. The falling trajectory at 38 cfs signals tightening late-season availability for upper Provo corridor irrigators in Kamas, Oakley, Peoa, and Francis.

    • Seasonal Guidance

  • Contact Summit Water Distribution Company for current Kamas Valley delivery schedule and any anticipated early season closure dates affecting upper Provo corridor hay and alfalfa operations.
  • Contact Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (WBWCD) for current Echo Reservoir and Rockport Reservoir storage status and system-wide delivery outlook through end-of-season.
  • Check Utah Division of Water Rights (waterrights.utah.gov) for any active administrative actions on the upper Provo River or upper Weber River that may affect late-season water availability.
  • Contact Park City Municipal Corporation for current East Canyon Creek municipal system status and any end-of-season demand advisories relevant to resort and residential users in the Snyderville Basin.

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

    Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 27, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 28, 2026

    Data Current As Of: September 28, 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, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (WBWCD — operates Echo Reservoir and Rockport Reservoir, both physically located in Summit County), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Upper Colorado Region), Park City Municipal Corporation (municipal water for Park City and Snyderville Basin), Summit Water Distribution Company (Kamas Valley), Provo River Water Users Association (upper Provo River allocation), 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.

    Other Issues

    Summit County Brief — October 26, 2026Summit County Brief — October 19, 2026Summit County Brief — October 12, 2026Summit County Brief — October 5, 2026Summit County Brief — September 21, 2026Summit County Brief — September 14, 2026Summit County Brief — September 7, 2026Summit County Brief — August 31, 2026Summit County Brief — August 24, 2026Summit County Brief — August 17, 2026Summit County Brief — August 10, 2026Summit County Brief — August 3, 2026Summit County Brief — July 27, 2026Summit County Brief — July 20, 2026Summit County Brief — July 13, 2026Summit County Brief — July 6, 2026Summit County Brief — June 29, 2026Summit County Brief — June 22, 2026Summit County Brief — June 15, 2026Summit County Brief — June 9, 2026

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