Bear Dam

Bear Dam Quick Facts

Location: Mariposa, California
Coordinates: 37.368339, -120.228014
River: Bear Creek River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Earth
Commissioned: 1954
Dam Height: 85 ft (26 m)
Dam Length: 1,830 ft (558 m)
Dam Capacity: 12,700 acre-ft (15,665 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Bear Dam Map

Bear Dam Information

Bear Dam is an earthen embankment dam located about 4 miles from Planada, Mariposa, California.

The dam, which is on the Bear Creek River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Hydroelectric benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1954 and is currently owned by USACE – Sacramento District.

Bear Dam Structure

The Bear Dam is approximately 1,830 feet (558 m) long, 85 feet (26 m) high and has a structural volume of 0 cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Bear Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 7,723 acre-ft (9,526 Ml) and maximum capacity of 12,700 acre-ft (15,665 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 265 acres (107 ha) and the total catchment area is 72 square miles (186 square kilometres).

Bear Dam Spillway

The dam has a 100 feet (30 m) wide uncontrolled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 21400 cubic feet per second (606 cubic metres per second).

Bear Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Bear Dam
Mariposa, California
Height (ft)
85
Length (Ft)
1,830
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
12,700
Drainage Area (sq miles)
72
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Bear Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Bear Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 19:35
Sunrise 06:31
Sunset 16:57
Temperature (°F) 54
Feels Like (°F) 51
Cloud Coverage (%) 3
Pressure (inHg) 1017
Humidity (%) 44
Wind Speed (mph) 5
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Bear Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today 48 69 62 1016 30 6 5 WNW 0 - broken clouds
Thu 49 70 63 1022 23 5 4 SSW 0 - clear sky
Fri 49 72 64 1019 22 5 4 W 0 - clear sky
Sat 49 72 65 1016 20 5 5 NNE 0 - scattered clouds
Sun 51 72 63 1017 21 6 10 WNW 0 - broken clouds
Mon 52 73 63 1017 25 12 19 NW 29 0 light rain
Tue 47 62 57 1021 48 14 19 NW 42 0 light rain
Wed 44 65 55 1021 36 5 6 S 0 - broken clouds

Bear Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Bear Dam?

Bear Dam is in California.

In which county is the Bear Dam?

Bear Dam is in Mariposa County.

How high is the Bear Dam?

Bear Dam is 85 feet high.

How long is the Bear Dam?

Bear Dam is 1,830 feet long.

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More Dams in Mariposa County:

Bear Dam
Exchequer Main Dam
Mcswain Dam
Owens Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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