Weekly conditions update – 7/9/2026:
Special note: The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for Saturday afternoon through Monday evening. The notice reports ‘Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures 98 to 108 degrees below 6,000 feet and 90 to 100 degrees between 6,000 and 7,500 feet each day.’
• Afternoon storms brought localized heavy rain but resulted in an average of less than 0.1 inches of rain across the watershed over the past week. Precipitation is currently 94% of average for the current water year.
• Natural streamflow continues to drop quickly. Most tributaries continue to sit at 40 to 60% of average for the date.
• Warm air temperatures and declining streamflow are resulting in warmer afternoon and evening water temperatures. Pacific Creek, the Snake River at Flagg Ranch and below Flat Creek monitoring locations have reported several days with afternoon temperatures exceeding 65 degrees F, which is the temperature threshold at which Wyoming Game and Fish recommends anglers consider keeping what they catch within the regulations. Water temperatures will likely increase over the weekend in response to the hot, dry temperatures.
• Streamflow at gaging locations on the main Snake River continue to be near average due to high Jackson outflows making up for low natural flow.
• Jackson Lake (77% full) and Palisades (39% full) are both drafting. Jackson outflows remain near 5,000 cfs. Palisades outflows have increased to 14,200 cfs to meet irrigation demand and send water downstream to American Falls.