How low is Big Bear Lake?

From spring of last year and through this winter so far, the lake has been between about 13 and 16 feet from full. (See the latest and historical lake levels here.) Even after the recent storms, the lake currently sits at about 15 feet below full as of January 2022.



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Big Bear Lake is a reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains. At dam's end Big Bear measures its deepest water at 72 ft.

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Swimming Rules From the Big Bear Municipal Water District: In the summer months, swimming is permitted in Big Bear Lake at your own risk! There are NO lifeguards on duty and swimmers must stay within 50 feet of the shore or within 20 feet of a private dock.

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Bear Lake is over 250,000 years old. It was formed by fault subsidence that continues today, slowly deepening the lake along the eastern side.

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Bear Lake's deepest point, at 208 feet, is located at the eastern edge between North and South Eden Canyons.

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What is Big Bear Lake Most Famous For? Big Bear Lake is Southern California's premier 4-season destination. The city offers majestic natural beauty, abundant outdoor recreation, and a laidback vibe. The region combines epic mountain scenery with 22 miles of shoreline.

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Big Bear Lake was a mecca for gold mining before it was a popular four-season resort. History records show that in 1860, a bear hunter named William Holcomb discovered gold in the area now called Holcomb Valley. After tracking a bear's blood trail to a creek, he found gleaming flakes of gold in the water.

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Its location at over 7,000' elevation in the San Bernardino mountain range makes for winters with snow! From the beaches of Southern California you can stand in the warm, sunny 70 degree weather and see snow on the mountains where Big Bear Lake is located.

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The last time the lake was full enough for that to happen was in 2011. For the past century, the lake has gone through a steady 10-year pattern of filling up, dropping eight or 10 feet during dry years, then filling back up again.

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That being said, Big Bear Lake's baseline is a Caution level for the presence of algae year round. This means that there is algae present in the Lake and we discourage drinking water from the Lake and encourage you to rinse yourself and pets off after swimming in the Lake.

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Standing Bear Lake is being drawn down in preparation for a much-anticipated Aquatic Habitat and Boating Access project. The water level will be lowered about 20 feet in the 135-acre northwest Omaha lake so work can start in early spring of 2023.

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With a crime rate of 32 per one thousand residents, Big Bear Lake has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 31.

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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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Apart from the birds, visitors frequently see chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, coyotes, and even black bears. Some of the lesser seen and more majestic animals are the bobcat and the mountain lion. Bobcats are beautiful creatures typically weighing around 20 pounds, looking like a very large house cat.

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