Each week I update the water level of Big Bear Lake in the upper right hand corner of this website. I get the information from the Big Bear Municipal Water District’s website (click here to view). As many of you know, the water level has a huge impact on not only property values, but affects our valley in terms of tourism and the overall natural beauty. Below is a quick update from Kathy Portie of the Big Bear Grizzly looking at the Winter side of things over at the MWD.
Big Bear Lake is On The Rise
While Big Bear was blanketed by more than 5 feet of snow, the lake was reaping the benefits, too. According to Big Bear Municipal Water District General Manager Scott Heule, Big Bear Lake gained about a foot in water level because of the week-long series of storms.
Heule cautions that the water level, which is now about 6 feet below normal, is still lower than the same time last year. “What matters now is what happens the balance of the winter,” Heule said. “We would hope that we will have to do a release but we need to get the rain and snow, not just snow.”
Lake Patrol and MWD employees inspected the lake following the storms and reported no instances of people walking out onto the ice. “We saw a tremendous amount of snow on docks, docks that were barely keeping out of the water,” Heule said.
Floating structures were in jeopardy because of the weight of the snow. A floating building at Big Bear Marina flooded, and the Lake Patrol boat listed and was in jeopardy of sinking. “We shoveled it out Friday (Jan. 22) and then again on Sunday (Jan. 25) to keep it available for emergencies,” Heule said. “We toured facilities around the lake and we’re going to go again. This time we’ll bring a snowblower with us.”
The agency’s staff also used backhoes and Bobcats to remove snow from structures and parking lots.
Heule said the Bear Valley Dam is in good shape and no damage was done to bridge construction. “It was all filled up with snow down there. We have no concerns in the short term,” Heule said. “We did inform Flatiron Construction that down the road we may need to start releasing water.”
The MWD board of directors met Jan. 25, after postponing the regularly-scheduled meeting on Jan. 21. There are plans to host another meeting regarding the kayak rental issue at the Feb. 18 board meeting, Heule said.












































































