How cold does Bear Lake get?

In the Summer time the water temperature in Bear Lake ranges from 68 to 72 degrees. In the Winter time it usually ranges from 35 to 40 degrees and only freezes over 70% of the time. Bear Lake is a great place to swim, boat, kayak, or just sit on the beach.



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It's high elevation makes this region one of the coldest areas in the state. The intense inversion also accounts for some extremely cold temperatures in winter. The coldest temperature on record, 50°F below zero, was recorded at Woodruff in February of 1899.

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In the Summer time the water temperature in Bear Lake ranges from 68 to 72 degrees. In the Winter time it usually ranges from 35 to 40 degrees and only freezes over 70% of the time. Bear Lake is a great place to swim, boat, kayak, or just sit on the beach.

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There are no current health advisories for this water body. Conditions may change quickly. Check before entering the water and know how to spot a harmful algal bloom.

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The volume is 187,800 cubic meters (153 acre-feet). The penetration of solar radiation into a lake is of fun- damental importance to the organisms dwelling there. Solar radiation is the overwhelming source of heat to warm the waters of Bear Lake.

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Bear Lake contains abundant suspended microscopic particles of white-colored calcium carbonate (lime) that reflect the water's natural blue color back to the surface, giving the lake its intense turquoise-blue color.

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Bear Lake is stratified in summer-spring where lighter water overlies denser water. During the winter months the mixing processes of winds and surface cooling break down the layers and the lake freezes over. Bear Lake does not completely freeze over every year but typically three out of five years.

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Bear Lake is a natural freshwater lake on the Idaho–Utah border in the Western United States. About 109 square miles in size, it is split about equally between the two states; its Utah portion comprises the second-largest natural freshwater lake in Utah, after Utah Lake.



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Bear Lake was formed by earthquake activity along the eastern Bear Lake fault line, causing the Bear Lake Valley to drop and creating a natural freshwater lake.

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Summer recreational activities abound as sailing, waterskiing, and boating attract thousands to the lake. Bear Lake is also noted for its surrounding natural habitat and the production of succulent red raspberries, as well as cisco and lake trout from within the lake itself.

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If you plan to camp overnight, please use one of the many public and private camping areas around the lake (see map). No camping after 10 p.m. on the public beaches or exposed bed of Bear Lake.

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Despite weighing more than 400 pounds, sumo wrestler, Kelly Gneiting, becomes only the fourth person to swim across Utah's Bear Lake and then back again.

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While dogs are welcome to play and swim along the shoreline of Big Bear Lake, it's important to monitor their fun. Keep an eye on how far they're swimming and be sure they can safely return to shore. Never let your dog drink the lake water or scum along the shorelines.

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