Washington County Water Intelligence Brief

September 7, 2026 | Virgin River Basin | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

Virgin River mainstem flows are rising this week, with the East Fork near Springdale reading 58 cfs and the North Fork at 42 cfs — consistent with late-summer monsoon pulse conditions rather than snowmelt contribution. The Santa Clara River at St. George remains low at 6 cfs and falling, the supply corridor most directly relevant to municipal delivery reliability for the St. George metro area. Reservoir storage data and 7-day forecast details — including Sand Hollow and Quail Creek status — are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

All five SNOTEL stations monitoring the Virgin River basin headwaters are reporting at or near zero snow water equivalent, which is normal for this point in the calendar — the historical median SWE at these stations in early September is also 0.0". The accurate supply story for 2026 is not current snowpack deficit but meltout timing: across these stations, snowpack melted out approximately 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, driven by the anomalous March heat wave that affected the broader Mountain West.

Station readings as of September 6, 2026:

Washington County's SNOTEL network is notably sparse relative to northern Utah counties, and high-elevation headwater monitoring in the Virgin River basin has meaningful gaps. WCWCD and municipal planners should treat snowpack data here as directional, not comprehensive. The operational implication of early meltout is already expressed in streamflow and reservoir storage — those metrics are the relevant indicators at this stage of the season.

Streamflow Conditions

Virgin River mainstem gauges are trending upward, a pattern consistent with active monsoon convection in the headwaters. The Virgin River at Virgin reads 83 cfs (rising), and the upstream Virgin River above La Verkin Creek near La Verkin reads 46 cfs (rising). The East Fork Virgin River near Springdale is at 58 cfs (rising) and the North Fork Virgin River near Springdale at 42 cfs (rising).

The Santa Clara River system presents a sharply different picture. The Santa Clara River at St. George reads only 6 cfs and is falling; the Santa Clara near Pine Valley reads 4 cfs and is stable. The Santa Clara corridor is the most direct surface supply tributary to the St. George municipal system, and its low, falling condition warrants close monitoring by WCWCD operations staff regardless of the rising trend on the Virgin mainstem.

All gauge readings as of September 7, 2026:

| Gauge | Flow | Trend |

|---|---|---|

| Virgin River at Virgin | 83 cfs | Rising |

| East Fork Virgin R. near Springdale | 58 cfs | Rising |

| North Fork Virgin R. near Springdale | 42 cfs | Rising |

| Virgin R. above La Verkin Cr. nr La Verkin | 46 cfs | Rising |

| Santa Clara R. at St. George | 6 cfs | Falling |

| Santa Clara R. near Pine Valley | 4 cfs | Stable |

The divergence between the rising Virgin mainstem and the falling Santa Clara is operationally significant. Late-season monsoon pulses can sustain Virgin River flows intermittently but do not reliably translate to Santa Clara delivery volume.

Seasonal Guidance

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

Data Sources: SNOTEL data through September 6, 2026; USGS streamflow data through September 7, 2026.

Data Current As Of: Utah Division of Water Rights administrative records; NRCS SNOTEL network; USGS National Water Information System.

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, Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD, primary water authority for Quail Creek and Sand Hollow reservoirs), Utah Division of Water Rights, and appropriate federal agencies for regulatory decisions and water rights administration. The Shivwits Band of Paiutes holds recognized water rights in Washington County — water rights administration in the county should be understood in that broader legal context. This brief does not constitute legal, regulatory, or engineering advice.