Bear Valley Dam
April 26, 2024
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Bear Valley Dam is a concrete gravity dam located in the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains, California. It was completed in 1911 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to provide hydroelectric power to nearby communities. The dam is 218 feet high and impounds Bear Valley Reservoir with a capacity of 90,000 acre-feet. The dam is mainly fed by the Mokelumne River and its tributaries, which are known for their snowpack and are important sources of water for agriculture and urban areas in California. The dam's watershed also provides recreational opportunities for visitors, including fishing, camping, and hiking. In recent years, the dam has been under scrutiny for its safety and seismic stability, leading to upgrades and retrofits to ensure its longevity.
| Geolocation | -116.978, 34.242 |
| Elevation | 6,743 ft |
| 24hr Change | None% |
| Percent of Normal | None% |
| Minimum |
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| Maximum |
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| Average | |
| Dam_Height | 80 |
| Hydraulic_Height | 80 |
| Drainage_Area | 38.7 |
| Year_Completed | 1911 |
| Nid_Storage | 74000 |
| River_Or_Stream | Bear Creek |
| Surface_Area | 2649 |
| Dam_Length | 360 |
| Hazard_Potential | High |
| Primary_Dam_Type | Multi-Arch |
| Nid_Height | 80 |
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