Water Intelligence Brief

Twin Falls County, ID — Snake River Basin (Magic Valley)

June 22, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

The 2026 irrigation season opened under an accelerated meltout timeline, with all monitored snowpack stations having melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of their historical median meltout dates — meaning the upper basin pulse arrived early and is now largely spent. The Snake River system is operating in a late-season supply mode despite being only mid-June on the calendar. Reservoir storage data, upstream American Falls and Palisades status, and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All three SNOTEL stations monitoring Twin Falls County's upstream supply zones are reporting 0.0" snow water equivalent (SWE) and 0.0" snow depth as of June 21, 2026:

Because no percent-of-median figure is reported for any station, the median SWE for this date is also 0.0" — stations are at their normal seasonal condition for late June. The critical signal is not today's reading but the season's trajectory: all stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date. The early-season melt pulse that drives Snake River spring flows has already moved through the system.

Streamflow Conditions

Two USGS gauges provide the core Snake River picture for Magic Valley as of June 22, 2026:

The 0 cfs reading at Milner is the defining operational signal: Twin Falls Canal Company and Northside Canal Company are diverting essentially the full Snake River flow at Milner Dam, leaving near-zero flow in the river channel immediately below the diversion — the normal in-season condition for Magic Valley. The 413 cfs reading near Twin Falls reflects return flows, drain inflows, and ESPA spring contributions that reenter the river downstream of the diversion, not undiverterd Snake River mainstem flow. Both gauges show stable conditions.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 21, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 22, 2026.

Data Current As Of: June 22, 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, Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR — administers Water District 36, the middle Snake River priority system), Twin Falls Canal Company (primary south-bank diverter at Milner Dam), Northside Canal Company (primary north-bank diverter at Milner Dam), and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region (Boise office — for American Falls Reservoir and Palisades Reservoir upstream context) for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.