Wasatch County Water Intelligence Brief

August 3, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

The 2026 water year for the Provo River basin is defined by early-season snowpack exhaustion: Provo River basin SNOTEL stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the snowmelt runoff window and reducing late-season carry-in supply. Streamflow at Heber City–area gauges reflects that transition, with the upper basin now running on residual baseflow and any available storage release. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All three SNOTEL stations used as Provo River basin indicators are reporting at their expected seasonal baseline for early August:

Zero SWE at these stations in early August is the normal seasonal condition — the median SWE for this date is also 0.0", so these readings do not indicate below-normal snowpack *today*. The significant 2026 signal is timing: these stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, meaning the runoff pulse that recharges Provo River basin storage arrived earlier and ended earlier than a typical year.

Important network disclosure: The three SNOTEL stations physically located within Wasatch County — Currant Creek, Daniels-Strawberry, and White River #1 — drain eastward to the Duchesne River and Colorado River basin. They do not monitor snowpack contributing to Heber Valley or the Provo River system and are excluded from this brief. The primary Provo River basin snowpack indicators are Beaver Divide and Trial Lake, both Summit County stations with records dating to 1978. Wolf Creek Peak is a Wasatch County station that does drain to the Provo River basin, but its record began in August 2020 — fewer than six years of data — limiting its value for historical comparison. Users should be aware that no long-record Wasatch County SNOTEL station monitors Provo River basin snowpack directly.

Streamflow Conditions

Three active USGS gauges provide coverage across the Provo River corridor through Wasatch County:

The divergence between the Charleston reading (223 cfs) and the Hailstone reading (19 cfs) reflects significant water removal between those two points — consistent with active irrigation diversions and storage operations in the mid-basin reach. The Heber City gauge at 183 cfs and the Charleston gauge at 223 cfs suggest relatively stable mid-valley delivery conditions as of late July, though these readings are several days old. The Hailstone gauge at 19 cfs, current as of today, indicates that the lower reach entering Jordanelle Reservoir is running at a substantially reduced rate. All three gauges are reporting stable trend signals, with no acute declining trajectory noted in the provided data.

Heber Valley agricultural context: Mid-season flows in the 183–223 cfs range at the upper gauges provide a working supply picture, but Heber Valley irrigators should coordinate directly with their ditch companies and the Provo River Water Users Association for current delivery schedules, as diversions and reservoir operations materially affect reach-by-reach availability.

Park City–Wasatch side context: The 19 cfs reading at Hailstone represents inflow conditions to Jordanelle Reservoir. Park City area municipal and recreational users on the Wasatch side should monitor Jordanelle storage status directly through USBR Upper Colorado Region announcements, as inflow at this level in early August underscores the importance of stored supply for late-summer and fall demand.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 2, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 3, 2026. Stations: Beaver Divide (330:UT:SNTL), Trial Lake (828:UT:SNTL), Wolf Creek Peak (1164:UT:SNTL); USGS gauges 10154200 reach series, Provo River at River Road Bridge, Provo River near Charleston, Provo River near Hailstone.

Data Current As Of: Utah Division of Water Rights records current as of brief publication date; reservoir operational data not included in this tier.

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. This brief does not constitute water rights, legal, or engineering advice.