Big Bear Lake
| Big Bear Lake | |
|---|---|
Looking east from China Island
|
|
 Big Bear Lake
Location of Big Bear Lake in California
|
|
| Location | San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°14′31″N 116°58′37″W / 34.24194°N 116.97694°WCoordinates: 34°14′31″N 116°58′37″W / 34.24194°N 116.97694°W |
| Lake type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Max. width | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
| Max. depth | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Water volume | 73,320 acre·ft (0.09044 km3) |
Big Bear Lake is a reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains, in San Bernardino County, California, United States. At a surface elevation of 6,750 ft (2,060 m), it has an east–west length of approximately 7 mi (11 km) and is approximately 2.5 mi (4.0 km) at its widest measurement, though the lake's width mostly averages a little more than 1 mi (1.6 km). These approximations are based on the lake having an optimum retainable water level. At dam's end Big Bear measures its deepest water at 72 ft (22 m). It is a completely snow-fed lake, having no other means of tributary or mechanical replenishment.
Located 100 miles (160 km) east of Los Angeles and surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Lake is accessible via four scenic highways: Highway 330 from Highland, Highway 38 from Redlands, Highway 18 from Victorville, and Highway 18 from San Bernardino.
Big Bear Lake is geophysically defined by its North Shore and its South Shore. Big Bear Boulevard follows the South Shore and leads into the Big Bear Valley as a continuation of Highway 18 (the so-called Rim of the World Highway, which approaches from the west). Big Bear Boulevard winds east through Papoose Bay, Boulder Bay and Metcalf Bay, then leads directly east to the city of Big Bear Lake. At a point called The Village, the road turns toward the lake and then curves eastward to Moonridge, the ski resorts at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, and Stanfield Cutoff, a causeway located near the east end of the lake. Big Bear Boulevard then continues east into Big Bear City, which is an unincorporated community despite its name. Bear Creek and Siberia Creek flow into the lake and Bear Creek flows out of the lake, traveling about 9 miles (14 km) southwest to the Santa Ana River.
...
Wikipedia