Weber County Water Intelligence Brief

August 10, 2026 | Free-Tier Edition

Situation Summary

The Weber-Ogden basin entered the 2026 irrigation season under significant supply stress: Ben Lomond Peak recorded 13 inches below normal at peak SWE, ranking among Utah's most stressed basins this water year, with snowpack melting out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date. Pineview Reservoir's storage trajectory — the defining variable for Ogden Valley dairy, hay, and alfalfa operations — and current Ogden River release scheduling are the critical operational unknowns for the remainder of the season. Reservoir storage data, 7-day forecast details, and depletion analysis are available in the full brief.

Snowpack Conditions

Both SNOTEL stations reporting for the Ben Lomond area show the basin's snowpack season has fully concluded:

Zero SWE at both stations is consistent with normal mid-August conditions — the median SWE for this date is also 0.0", so these readings do not indicate a below-normal snowpack *today*. The critical 2026 signal is timing: both stations melted out 4–6 weeks ahead of the historical median meltout date, meaning the snowmelt pulse that feeds Pineview Reservoir and Ogden River baseflows arrived substantially earlier in the season. Remaining irrigation-season supply now depends entirely on reservoir storage — there is no remaining snowpack buffer to draw on.

Streamflow Conditions

Three USGS gauges provide current basin context:

The Ogden River below Pineview is the most operationally significant reading for Ogden Valley irrigators — at 213 cfs and falling, this gauge captures what Pineview is currently releasing to dairy, hay, and alfalfa operations in the Huntsville/Eden corridor. A falling trend at this gauge warrants close attention as peak-season demand continues. The Weber River at Ogden gauge (the basin integrator) reads 158 cfs rising, reflecting total mainstem conditions after upstream diversions and reservoir contributions. The Gateway gauge at 230 cfs rising provides upstream context. The divergence between Gateway (rising) and Ogden (lower) reflects in-basin diversions along the mainstem corridor. Note that Weber River flows ultimately contribute to Great Salt Lake inflows — in-basin consumption this late in a stressed year carries downstream environmental implications for lake elevation.

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

Data Current As Of: August 10, 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.