Recent Snows a Good Thing for Big Bear Lake Water Levels

As most Californians know, any precipitation is good precipitation. (Well - most of the time.) But here in Big Bear not only does snow help our local economy by bringing attention to our world famous ski resorts, but it also is crucial for our summer lake season as well.

The water in Big Bear Lake comes from the heavens and fills our lake in two main ways. There is the direct impact of snow or rain falling directly on the lake's surface causing lake levels to rise. But the greater influence in the lake's water levels is the precipitaion that falls on the lake-facing sides of the surrounding mountains that eventually makes its way down to the lake's basin through various tributaries.

But perhaps the greatest impact on lake levels is the amount of snowpack in the surrounding mountains that will melt through springtime slowly filling up our "Blue Jewel". It is the springtime thaw resulting in full tributaries that usually results in the most significant rise in water levels annually. If there is generous snowpack, we can expect the lake to fill. A lack of snowpack is likely to result in a net loss in lake levels by year's end.

After last week's 18 inch snow storm followed by another 2 inches the following evening, we are pretty much on track to having an average year of snowfall. We currently are at 45 inches of snow for the season whereas the often published annual snowfall for Big Bear Lake is about 62 inches. (The ski resorts claim 100 inches of snow per year as their mountains are positioned in a location in the valley that usually receives greater than average snowfall.)

Currently the water level in Big Bear Lake is 4 feet 3 inches from full. Last year at this time, the lake was 2 feet 2 inches from full. Although we are behind where we were last year, over the past few years we have seen our most significant snowfalls come later in the season. Hopefully that will be the case this year as well. And if Mother Nature is on our side, our lake will be full by late spring and we will be poised for another great summer season on Big Bear Lake!