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GARDEN CITY — Bear Lake could rise as much as 10 feet or more this summer, according to estimates shared by Rocky Mountain Power Thursday.
That will bring some changes on your next visit there, compared to what's been visible over the last few drought years.
The biggest change we'll all notice is rows and rows of beach parking — a whole lot of that is going away. That likely means less room at the state parks and more competing with crowds, but really most of what's changing with all this water is good news.
It's not at all unusual to have snow in spring at Bear Lake but to have so much of it — like what we're seeing all over northern Utah — is huge.
"Don't know where we're going to put it all, but we do have room in Bear Lake so we're good," said Claudia Cottle, co-executive director of Bear Lake Watch, a community group that keeps an eye on care for the lake and its future.
It's one of several groups that is part of a preservation committee for the lake.
"The water will come way up to where the cabins are and so we'll see good water this year and we're excited about that," Cottle said.
That's not only good for people, but for wildlife as the area has a chance to restore what once was, she said.
"Especially for our fishes. They need to be able to get to the edge of the water. The cutthroat need to be able to get up the streams. That gets very problematic. And then we have all those acres of land open that's just become infested with weeds," Cottle said.
Richard Droesbeke, manager for Utah's Bear Lake State Park points out that it will mean more options for boaters and those looking to get out on the water, even if it will limit the space on the sand.
May not be quite as much exposed lakebed for the nice pristine beaches. People like to savor the sand. But more water, more access points ... really it looks good for Bear Lake.
–Richard Droesbeke, Bear Lake State Park
The endless beaches will shrink at all ends of the lake.
"May not be quite as much exposed lakebed for the nice pristine beaches. People like to savor the sand. But more water, more access points ... really it looks good for Bear Lake," Droesbeke said.
"We have to watch all of our resources. We're all part of the system," Cottle said.
But as reservoirs and lakes get a chance to recover, Cottle said it's important to not take all this water for granted because the less plentiful years will show up again.
There is also some slight concern from water shareholders that what they've saved over the past few years could simply be sent downstream to help the Great Salt Lake.
Cottle said it's not really a problem now, but something they'll keep an eye on for the future.
