Bear

Watershed Hydrology

The Bear Watershed, also known as HUC 06030006, covers approximately 3,437 square kilometers in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. The hydrology of the area is primarily driven by snowmelt and precipitation, with surface water flowing into the Bear River and eventually into the Great Salt Lake. The watershed is home to several reservoirs, including the Bear River Reservoir, which is used for hydroelectric power generation and recreation. The snowpack in the area is important for maintaining the water supply, as it provides up to 60% of the water for downstream use. Climate trends in the region indicate a decrease in snowpack and earlier snowmelt, which could have significant impacts on water availability in the future. Additionally, the area experiences frequent drought conditions, with the most severe drought occurring in 2012-2016.


Surface Flows

Bear Watershed

Snowpack Depths

Bear Watershed

Dams & Reservoirs

Bear Watershed

Groundwater Levels

Bear Watershed

Bear Rivers

Rivers of the Watershed