Bear Mountain Dam

Chelan, Washington· Built 2003· Earth·
High Hazard Recreation Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

Bear Mountain Dam is classified as high hazard in Washington. It was completed in 2003 and is 23 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Length245 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage19 acre-ft
Normal Storage12 acre-ft
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge25 cfs
Year Completed2003 (23 years old)
NID IDWA01960

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: May 25, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Bear Mountain Golf Course

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bear Mountain Dam?

Bear Mountain Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bear Mountain Dam?

Bear Mountain Dam is owned by Bear Mountain Golf Course (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bear Mountain Dam built?

Bear Mountain Dam was completed in 2003, making it 23 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bear Mountain Dam?

Bear Mountain Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

When was Bear Mountain Dam last inspected?

Bear Mountain Dam was last inspected on May 25, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.