The Lake and Dams

The Rock Dam that created Big Bear Lake was built in 1885. It was later replaced by today’s Eastwood Dam in 1912. This historical section contains stories, photos and articles on the construction and changes of the dams at Big Bear Lake.

A Man Made Lake?

BIG BEAR'S NATURAL LAKE Big Bear lake is a man made lake. All of the published history to date, including this author's book Vanishing Big Bear, tells us that Big Bear Lake was originally created when a Redlands farmer by the name of Frank Brown built a rock dam...

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Big Bear’s Eastwood Dam

The story of our multi arch dam dates back to 1885, when a Redlands farmer by the name of Frank Brown built a rock dam at Big Bear which created the lake that we have today. This original rock dam still exists today, about 50 yards upstream from our current dam, and...

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Bridge Construction – 2009

WE'RE GETTING A NEW BRIDGE Ever since 1925, the majority of traffic entering Big Bear Valley has crossed over the old bridge currently atop the dam. It has served our valley well. Construction began in April 2009, on a new bridge that will replace the old existing...

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Bridge Construction – 2010

Construction on a new bridge that will replace the old existing bridge across the top of Big Bear's multi arch dam as the main artery into Big Bear began in April 2009. This new bridge will completely bypass the old bridge and the dam. It is estimated that it will...

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Step In Again 1

The August 25, 2012, Big Bear Classic Boat Show had a wonderful selection of old classic boats on display. One in particular was a beautifully restored 26‘ Chris Craft named “Step In Again 1”. Sixty years ago, this boat was a familiar site on Big Bear Lake. It was...

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Classic Boat Returns To Big Bear Lake!

The August 25, 2012, Big Bear Classic Boat Show had a beautifully restored 26‘ Chris Craft named “Step In Again 1”.  Sixty years ago, this boat was a familiar site on Big Bear Lake.  It was part of a fleet of four “Step In Again” high performance tour boats that...

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Big Bear Village & the Marina

Kim Sweet and Rick Keppler present some history of the marina and village at Big Bear Lake, California. This presentation is illustrated with a collection of old historical photos showing the evolution of both the marina and the village area on the lake near the...

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Big Bear Bridge Demolition Update 3

The last sections of the old historic bridge across the Big Bear Lake dam are being removed.  The bridge was built back in 1924. Note:  The copyrighted information in this article have been presented here with permission from Rick Keppler.

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Big Bear Bridge Demolition Update 2

As of September 24, 2011, the removal of the old bridge across the top of the Big Bear Lake dam is about two thirds complete. Note:  The copyrighted information in this article have been presented here with permission from Rick Keppler.

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Big Bear Bridge Demolition Update

Demolition continues on the old bridge across the top of the dam at Big Bear Lake.  The removal project is about one third complete. Here is another image of the bridge at Big Bear Lake when it first opened in 1924. Note:  The copyrighted information in this article...

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