Bear River (Mokelumne River tributary)
Encyclopedia
The Bear River is a 19.3 miles (31.1 km) river
in the Sierra Nevada in California
. It is a tributary of the Mokelumne River
. The river and its watershed are entirely in El Dorado National Forest. The river begins as two forks several miles south of Kirkwood
. The forks travel roughly southwest and merge just before the river enters Upper Bear Reservoir. Immediately downstream of the reservoir is Lower Bear Reservoir. Below the reservoir, the river continues southwest until it meets the Mokelumne River. The reservoirs on the Bear River are owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company
as part of the Mokelumne Hydroelectric Project.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in the Sierra Nevada in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is a tributary of the Mokelumne River
Mokelumne River
The Mokelumne River is a river in Northern California. The Upper Mokelumne River originates in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and flows into Pardee Reservoir and then Camanche Reservoir in the Sierra foothills. The Lower Mokelumne River refers to the portion of the river below Camanche Dam...
. The river and its watershed are entirely in El Dorado National Forest. The river begins as two forks several miles south of Kirkwood
Kirkwood, California
Kirkwood is a census-designated place in Alpine and Amador counties, California, United States. The population was 158 at the 2010 census. Kirkwood's main attraction is the Kirkwood Mountain Resort. The town is accessible by State Route 88...
. The forks travel roughly southwest and merge just before the river enters Upper Bear Reservoir. Immediately downstream of the reservoir is Lower Bear Reservoir. Below the reservoir, the river continues southwest until it meets the Mokelumne River. The reservoirs on the Bear River are owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company , commonly known as PG&E, is the utility that provides natural gas and electricity to most of the northern two-thirds of California, from Bakersfield almost to the Oregon border...
as part of the Mokelumne Hydroelectric Project.