Bear Lake Dam dam
Bear Lake Dam
Bear Lake Dam, located in Santa Rosa, Florida, is a state-owned structure completed in 1959 primarily for recreation purposes. This earth dam stands at 31 feet high with a length of 735 feet, creating a reservoir with a normal storage capacity of 924 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1023 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Bear Creek, serves multiple functions including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond in addition to its recreational use.
Despite being an uncontrolled spillway type dam with significant hazard potential, Bear Lake Dam has not been rated for condition assessment. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with no specific risk management measures identified at this time. The dam is under state jurisdiction and regulation, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement conducted by the state agencies. The location of the dam falls within the Mobile District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, with no federal agency ownership or funding associated with the structure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bear Lake Dam presents an interesting case study in dam management and risk assessment. The dam's significant hazard potential and moderate risk assessment highlight the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment. The dam's multiple purposes and state regulation underscore the complex considerations that go into managing water resources in a way that balances human needs with environmental protection. With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Bear Lake Dam serves as a valuable resource for the community while also posing challenges that require careful monitoring and management.
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 Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Blackwater River Nr Baker | 1,040 cfs | → |
| Blackwater River Near Bradley Al | 349 cfs | → |
| Big Coldwater Creek Nr Milton | 1,420 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Milligan | 2,370 cfs | → |
| Yellow River Nr Oak Grove | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Conecuh River At State Hwy 41 Near Brewton | 461 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Hurricane Lake South Entrance Road, Baker
- Hurricane Lake North Entrance Road, Baker
- State Lake Road Escambia County
- Munson Highway Santa Rosa County
- Okaloosa County
Campgrounds
- Karick Lake Lower - Blackwater River State Forest
- Karick Lake Upper - Blackwater River State Forest
- Blackwater River State Park
- Clear Creek Rv Military - Fort Knox
- Pearl Creek
- Open Pond Recreation Area
Track Bear Lake Dam 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 Lake Dam
Where does the data for Bear Lake Dam 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 Significant 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 Lake Dam.