Wasatch County Water Intelligence Brief

June 29, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

The 2026 water year across the Provo River basin was defined by an anomalous March heat wave that drove snowpack meltout 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the spring runoff window and drawing down seasonal storage earlier than typical. Streamflow on the Provo River system remains active as of late June, but the early-melt character of this year means the supply picture for mid- and late-summer irrigation demand warrants close monitoring by both Heber Valley agricultural users and Park City area municipal planners. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and operational outlook for Jordanelle, Deer Creek, and Strawberry Reservoir are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Important disclosure: The three SNOTEL stations physically located in Wasatch County — Currant Creek, Daniels-Strawberry, and White River #1 — drain east to the Colorado River basin via the Duchesne River drainage. They do not monitor snowpack contributing to the Provo River system or Heber Valley water users, and they are excluded from this brief. The primary Provo River basin snowpack indicators are Trial Lake (828:UT:SNTL, Summit County, reporting since 1978) and Beaver Divide (330:UT:SNTL, Summit County, reporting since 1978). Wolf Creek Peak (1164:UT:SNTL, Wasatch County) drains to the Provo River basin and is included here, but carries a short record — reporting since August 2020, less than six years — and should be interpreted with that limitation in mind.

As of June 28, 2026, all three Provo basin stations report the following:

Beaver Divide and Wolf Creek Peak have fully melted out. Because no percent-of-median figure is reported for these stations at this date, the median SWE for this point in the calendar is also 0.0" — meaning these stations are at their normal seasonal condition for late June, not anomalously below normal today. Trial Lake retains a modest 0.8" SWE with 2.0" of residual snow depth, also within expected late-season range. The accurate 2026 concern is not current snowpack deficit but meltout timing: these stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, meaning the spring recharge pulse to Provo River system reservoirs arrived and largely concluded well before the peak summer irrigation demand period.

Streamflow Conditions

Three active USGS gauges monitor Provo River basin flows in or adjacent to Wasatch County as of June 29, 2026:

The Charleston gauge, positioned upstream of Heber City along the mid-Provo corridor, shows a rising trend at 190 cfs — the highest reading of the three gauges — suggesting active inflow contribution from upper watershed areas that may include residual snowmelt from higher-elevation zones or recent precipitation response. The Heber City gauge at 167 cfs is stable, reflecting mid-valley conditions relevant to Heber Valley irrigation diversions. The Hailstone gauge at 36 cfs — the lowest of the three and stable — reflects conditions at the lower end of the valley reach near Jordanelle Reservoir, where diversions and reservoir inflow dynamics affect the residual channel flow.

For Heber Valley agricultural users: The 167 cfs reading at Heber City indicates meaningful flow available in the main channel as of today, but the stable trend means no runoff surge is currently supplementing supply. With meltout already behind the basin, flows are likely to follow a declining seasonal trajectory into July and August unless precipitation events intervene. Coordinate with your ditch company or the Provo River Water Users Association regarding current delivery scheduling and any anticipated reductions.

For Park City area (Wasatch-side) users: The Hailstone gauge at 36 cfs reflects the lower-valley reach nearest Jordanelle Reservoir. Inflow rates at this level, combined with the early-melt character of 2026, are relevant context for municipal storage planning. Monitor Jordanelle storage status directly through USBR Upper Colorado Region announcements.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through June 28, 2026; USGS streamflow data through June 29, 2026

Data Current As Of: June 29, 2026. Reservoir storage and operational status not included in this free-tier brief; contact Utah Division of Water Rights and USBR Upper Colorado Region for current figures.

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 Upper Colorado Region (for Deer Creek, Jordanelle, and Strawberry Reservoir operations), Provo River Water Users Association, and Utah Division of Water Rights for regulatory decisions and water rights administration. Streamflow conditions and snowpack data are point-in-time observations and do not constitute a forecast or guarantee of future supply availability.