Bear Valley is a multi-arch dam located in San Bernardino County, California, built in 1911. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 80 ft80 ft tall and 360 ft long, taller than 97% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic arch section and the water level is illustrative.
About Bear Valley
The primary purpose of Bear Valley is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Big Bear Municipal Water District (public utility). It impounds the Bear Creek near N/a.
The dam stands 80 feet tall and stretches 360 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,649 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 74,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 38 square miles. Completed in 1911, the structure is over a century old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/21/2025.
At 80 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The California dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Nearest City | N/a |
| River/Stream | Bear Creek |
| Coordinates | 34.24230, -116.97760 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Multi-Arch |
| NID Height | 80 ft |
| Dam Height | 80 ft |
| Dam Length | 360 ft |
| Year Completed | 1911 (115 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 74,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 74,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,649 acres |
| Drainage Area | 38 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Big Bear Municipal Water District |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/21/2025 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | CA00757 |
| Federal ID | CA00757 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |