Bear Creek Diversion dam
Bear Creek Diversion
Bear Creek Diversion, also known as Bear Diversion, is a privately owned hydroelectric structure located in Mono Hot Springs, California. Completed in 1927, this concrete dam stands at a height of 55 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 103 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is to generate hydroelectric power, utilizing the flow of Bear Creek to produce energy.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bear Creek Diversion is regulated and inspected to ensure its safety and operational efficiency. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 232 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 10,000 cubic feet per second. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is subject to moderate risk assessment, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and management measures.
Situated in Fresno County, California, Bear Creek Diversion plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region. With its historical significance and contribution to renewable energy production, this hydroelectric structure exemplifies the intersection of engineering innovation and environmental stewardship in harnessing the power of water resources for sustainable development.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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, environmental 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.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Bear Creek Diversion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mf San Joaquin R Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 425 cfs | → |
| Hot C A Flume Nr Mammoth Lakes Ca | 65 cfs | → |
| Deadman C A Big Springs Nr Crestview Ca | 37 cfs | → |
| Nf Willow C Nr Sugar Pine Ca | 416 cfs | → |
| Big C Div Nr Fish Camp Ca | 0 cfs | → |
| Merced R A Happy Isles Bridge Nr Yosemite Ca | 1,130 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Creek Diversion .
Boat launches
- Lake Edison Boating Site
- Florence Lake Boating Site
- Florence Lake Campground
- Huntington Boat Ramp & Launching Site
- Mammoth Pool Rd, California
- Redinger Boating Site
Campgrounds
- Mono Creek Overflow Campground
- Mono Creek Campground
- Mono Hot Springs Campground
- Mono Hot Springs
- Ward Lake Campground
- Vermillion
Fishing spots
Track Bear Creek Diversion in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Bear Creek Diversion
Where does the data for Bear Creek Diversion come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Bear Creek Diversion .