Weber County Water Intelligence Brief

July 6, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

The 2026 water year delivered an anomalously early snowmelt across the Weber-Ogden basin, with Ben Lomond Peak melting out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date following a March heat wave — making this an outlier low year for basin-wide supply timing. Pineview Reservoir storage and Ogden River release schedules are now the defining variables for Ogden Valley dairy, hay, and alfalfa operations as the peak irrigation season advances with no remaining snowpack buffer. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Both SNOTEL stations serving the Weber-Ogden watershed are fully melted out as of July 5, 2026, which is entirely normal for this calendar date — the median SWE for both stations is also 0.0" at this point in the season.

Ben Lomond Peak (07/05): SWE 0.1", snow depth 0.0". A trace SWE reading with zero measured depth reflects instrument variability at seasonal meltout — operationally, this station is at full meltout.

Ben Lomond Trail (07/05): SWE 0.0", snow depth 1.0". Zero SWE with a reported 1.0" depth likely reflects a remnant shaded snow patch or instrument artifact; there is no meaningful snowpack water content remaining at this station.

The critical 2026 context is not today's readings — it is *when* these stations melted out. Ben Lomond Peak was running 13 inches below normal at peak SWE earlier this water year, placing the Weber-Ogden basin among the most stressed in Utah. Meltout occurring 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median means the basin lost weeks of gradual, managed snowmelt runoff that would otherwise be filling Pineview Reservoir and sustaining Ogden River baseflows into late summer. There is no snowpack reservoir remaining to draw on for the balance of the irrigation season.

Streamflow Conditions

Ogden River Below Pineview Reservoir (07/06): 259 cfs — stable. This is the most important gauge for Ogden Valley irrigators. At 259 cfs with a stable trend, Pineview releases are currently supporting active deliveries. Ogden Valley dairy operators, hay growers, and alfalfa producers should monitor this gauge closely — any downward shift in release rate will translate directly to reduced field delivery. Contact the Ogden River Water Users Association for current delivery scheduling tied to this gauge.

Weber River at Gateway (07/06): 171 cfs — falling. The Gateway gauge captures Weber River mainstem conditions above the Ogden metro reach. A falling trend here reflects the post-peak seasonal decline with no snowmelt input remaining — flows will continue to decrease barring significant precipitation.

Weber River at Ogden (07/06): 64 cfs — falling. This is the basin integrator gauge, capturing total Weber system flow after upstream diversions and reservoir releases reach the Ogden metro area. At 64 cfs and falling, the lower mainstem is well into the summer recession curve. As a secondary note, Weber River is a significant inflow source to Great Salt Lake — reduced late-summer flows in a stressed year like 2026 carry environmental implications for GSL elevation.

The contrast between Pineview outflow (259 cfs, stable) and the lower Weber mainstem (64 cfs, falling) reflects active reservoir release management by Weber Basin Water Conservancy District — Pineview is currently the dominant supply mechanism sustaining Ogden Valley deliveries.

Seasonal Guidance

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Data Sources: SNOTEL data through July 5, 2026; USGS streamflow data through July 6, 2026

Data Current As Of: July 6, 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, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District (WBWCD — primary water authority managing the Weber Basin Project: Pineview, Echo, Rockport, Lost Creek, and East Canyon reservoirs), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Upper Colorado Region, for Pineview Reservoir operations), Ogden River Water Users Association, and Utah Division of Water Rights for regulatory decisions and water rights administration.