Benefits
How Replenish Big Bear benefits our water supply, environment, and community
Big Bear Valley is special in many ways—and they all connect to water.
There's no question that Big Bear Valley is a special place. Our unique, four season playground offers endless beauty and recreation. Adequate water supplies are essential in supporting the many parts of Big Bear that make it such a great place to call home - from our lake, to our mountains, and everything in between. Read on to learn more about how Replenish Big Bear protects our community's quality of life.
Our Valley's water supports:
20K RESIDENTS
living in Big Bear Valley
8.3 MILLION
visitors each year
155 ACRES
dedicated for endangered fish habitat and wildlife
IN THE VALLEY
More water
Keeping more of our water in the Valley ensures that Big Bear will continue to thrive, even during times of drought.
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Treated water currently being pumped out of the Valley will be purified and used locally. This new high quality water source will meet our current and future needs by increasing water levels throughout the Valley and recharging our groundwater basin, our sole source of drinking water.
SUSTAINABLE, DROUGHT-PROOF WATER SUPPLY
REPLENISHED LAKE LEVELS
up to
5 feet
higher in dry years
800 million gallons
of additional clean water produced each year to supplement supplies in Big Bear Valley
PROTECTION FOR DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES
20
percent
of our area's needed groundwater supply sustained, which is the Valley's sole source of drinking water
up to
FOR OUR WILDLIFE
More water
With a continuous source of clean water, Big Bear Valley's fish and wildlife can continue to thrive.
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Big Bear Valley is home to many rare fish and wildlife whose health depends on healthy habitat and water. The high quality water produced through Replenish Big Bear will be added to Shay Pond (future option) and Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve, providing a constant and drought-proof source to restore wetland habitat and sustain our area's diverse species, such as the endangered Unarmored Threespined Stickleback fish.
FOR OUR COMMUNITY
More water
More water in the Valley means more water for our residents and visitors to enjoy, and a more secure drinking water supply during times of drought.
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Big Bear is rich with recreational opportunities throughout the year, from our lake to our mountains, and our miles of trails in between. Higher lake levels resulting from Replenish Big Bear will support continued recreation in Big Bear’s tourism-driven economy. During wet periods, excess water could also be used to create additional snow for winter recreation. Replenish Big Bear will also recharge the Valley's groundwater basin with clean water, which will protect our community’s drinking water supply and provide water security during times of drought to our community's residents.