Wasatch County Water Intelligence Brief

August 10, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

The 2026 water season for Wasatch County is defined by early meltout: Provo River basin snowpack stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, compressing the seasonal runoff window and accelerating the transition to late-season baseflow conditions. Provo River mainstem flows are currently stable through the Heber Valley reach, though the lower Hailstone gauge is rising — a signal worth monitoring for both irrigators and reservoir system managers. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion rate analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Important network disclosure: The three SNOTEL stations physically located within Wasatch County — Currant Creek, Daniels-Strawberry, and White River #1 — drain eastward 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 supply, and are excluded from this brief. The primary Provo River basin snowpack indicators are Beaver Divide (Station 330:UT:SNTL, Summit County, record since 1978) and Trial Lake (Station 828:UT:SNTL, Summit County, record since 1978). Wolf Creek Peak (Station 1164:UT:SNTL, Wasatch County) drains to the Provo River basin but has a short record — reporting began August 2020, fewer than six years of data — and should be interpreted with that limitation in mind.

Current station readings as of August 9, 2026:

All stations reporting data show 0.0" SWE. At this point in the calendar, the median SWE for these stations is also 0.0" — meaning today's readings reflect normal seasonal conditions for mid-August, not anomalous deficits. The accurate seasonal story is timing, not current magnitude: Provo basin snowpack melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date this spring, driven by the anomalous March heat wave. That early meltout accelerated runoff into Jordanelle and Deer Creek months ahead of schedule, with implications for how much water was captured versus bypassed during the peak inflow window. Wolf Creek Peak's reported snow depth of 1.0" with 0.0" SWE likely reflects residual compacted material or instrument artifact rather than meaningful snowpack — its short station record limits interpretive confidence. Trial Lake data collection issues leave a gap in Summit County's primary Provo basin record; users should check NRCS SNOTEL directly for restoration status.

Streamflow Conditions

Three active USGS gauges provide coverage of the Provo River mainstem through Wasatch County as of August 10, 2026:

The Heber City and Charleston gauges reflect the upper-to-mid Provo River reach through the agricultural heart of Heber Valley. Flows of 188–200 cfs represent meaningful mid-August discharge for this system. Both readings are stable, which provides short-term planning continuity for irrigators managing field schedules in the current irrigation window.

The Hailstone gauge, located in the lower reach near Jordanelle, reads substantially lower at 27 cfs — reflecting diversions, reservoir operations, and the hydrologic structure of the system between the upper gauges and the reservoir. Notably, the Hailstone reading is rising as of August 10, diverging from the stable pattern upstream. The source of that rise is not specified in available data; it may reflect operational releases, localized tributary input, or gauge dynamics. Heber Valley irrigators and Park City area water managers should note this divergence and monitor whether the rising trend continues.

For agricultural users in Heber Valley: the 188–200 cfs range in the upper reach provides a working supply picture, but late-season flows on the Provo River system are strongly influenced by reservoir operations and water rights administration — coordinate directly with your delivery infrastructure for scheduling guidance.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through August 9, 2026; USGS streamflow data through August 10, 2026. Stations: Beaver Divide (330:UT:SNTL), Trial Lake (828:UT:SNTL), Wolf Creek Peak (1164:UT:SNTL); USGS gauges 10154200 (Heber City), 10155000 (Charleston), 10155500 (Hailstone).

Data Current As Of: August 10, 2026. Utah Division of Water Rights records and agency operational status may reflect different update schedules — verify directly with managing entities.

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 Central Utah Water Conservancy District for regulatory decisions and water rights administration. Streamflow conditions can change rapidly; do not use this brief as the sole basis for irrigation or operational decisions.