Bear River
Project Overview

The 107-megawatt (mw) Bear River Project (FERC No. 20) is located in Southeast Idaho in Caribou and Franklin Counties, and is partially located on United States lands administered by BLM. The Bear River Project is largely dependent on the Bear Lake Irrigation Project to pump water from Bear Lake into the lower river during the irrigation season. During drought years the Bear River Project may generate at less than full capacity due to lack of water in the river. View fact sheet (PDF).
Construction of the Bear River Project was authorized by the U.S. Secretary of Interior in 1907 for irrigation, flood control and hydroelectric generation. Construction of the dams began in 1909 and was completed in 1927. Utah Power acquired water rights from various holders during these years in exchange for perpetual contracts to deliver certain amounts of irrigation water released from Bear Lake. Water rights were further defined by court decrees, the Bear River Compact (as revised), and other subsequent agreements.
The Bear River Project consists of:
- The Soda Development – a 103-foot-high concrete dam, the Soda reservoir (Alexander Reservoir), and a powerhouse with a total installed capacity of 14 mw.
- The Grace Development – a 51-foot-high timber crib dam, a 250-acre forebay, a 26,000-foot-long flowline, and a powerhouse with a total installed capacity of 33 mw.
- The Oneida Development – a 111-foot-high concrete dam, the Oneida reservoir, a 2,240-foot-long flowline, and a powerhouse with a total installed capacity of 30 mw.
PacifiCorp and stakeholders to the relicensing of the Bear River Project signed a Settlement Agreement on August 28, 2002, resolving all issues pertaining to relicensing. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the Settlement Agreement and issued a new 30-year license for the Bear River Project on December 22, 2003. The Settlement Agreement and new license require the provision of recreational enhancements, instream flows to benefit aquatic resources, and various funds to conserve and benefit natural resources near the project. The Environmental Coordination Committee (ECC), a stakeholder group comprised of signatories to the Settlement Agreement, was formed to consult and make decisions regarding the use of funding and other license requirements for the Bear River Project.
Settlement Agreement
A Settlement Agreement was signed on August 28, 2002. The parties to the Agreement are PacifiCorp, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USDI National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Council of Trout Unlimited, Idaho Rivers United, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, American Whitewater and other intervenors.
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The Agreement contains specific measures that will substantially improve environmental conditions in the Bear River watershed near the Project;
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The Agreement provides important resource protection and restoration measures that will benefit fish and wildlife habitat, consistent with regional restoration planning;
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The Agreement provides for various interests and river uses, including irrigation, power production and natural resource values; and
- The Agreement establishes a process for the Parties to collaborate to manage and enhance natural resources in the Bear River watershed throughout the terms of the New License.
Environmental Coordination Committee
Overview
Agendas
- 2017 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2016 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2015 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2014 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2013 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2012 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2011 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2010 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2009 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2008 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2007 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2006 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2005 ECC Meeting Agendas
- 2004 ECC Meeting Agendas
Notes
- 2017 ECC Final Meeting Notes
- 2016 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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January 20, 2016 Meeting Notes
January 20, 2016 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
February 17, 2016 Meeting Notes
February 17, 2016 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
April 20, 2016 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
June 30, 2016 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
October 19, 2016 Meeting Notes
October 19, 2016 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
December 7, 2016 Meeting Notes
December 7, 2016 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
- 2015 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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January 21, 2015 Meeting Notes
January 21, 2015 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
February 18-19, 2015 Meeting Notes
February 18-19, 2015 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
April 15, 2015 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
June 17, 2015 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
August 7, 2015 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
October 21, 2015 Meeting Notes
October 21, 2015 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
December 9, 2015 Meeting Notes
December 9, 2015 Meeting Notes (Land and Water Fund Updates), Password
- 2014 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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January 15, 2014 Meeting Notes
January 15, 2014 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
February 19, 2014 Meeting Notes
February 19, 2014 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
April 15, 2014 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
June 18, 2014 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
August 20, 2014 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
September 16, 2014 Conference Call Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
October 15, 2014 Conference Call Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
November 4, 2014 Meeting Notes
November 4, 2014 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
December 10, 2014 Meeting Notes
December 10, 2014 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
- 2013 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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January 16, 2013 Meeting Notes
January 16, 2013 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
February 20, 2013 Meeting Notes
February 20, 2013 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
April 24, 2013 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
June 19, 2013 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
August 21, 2013 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
September 9, 2013 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
November 13, 2013 Meeting Notes
November 13, 2013 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
- 2012 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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January 18, 2012 Meeting Notes
January 18, 2012 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
February 15, 2012 Meeting Notes
February 15, 2012 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
April 18, 2012 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
June 20, 2012 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
July 25, 2012 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
September 19, 2012 Meeting Notes
September 19, 2012 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
November 14, 2012 Meeting Notes
November 14, 2012 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password
- 2011 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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1-19-11 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
2-16-11 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
4-20-11 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
6-15-11 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
8-17-11 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
10-18-11 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
11-9-11 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
12-14-11 Meetings Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
- 2010 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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2-17-10 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
4-28-10 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
6-16-10 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
8-18-10 Meetings Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
10-20-10 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
12-8-10 Meeting Notes (Land Trust Updates), Password Protected
- 2009 ECC Final Meeting Notes
- 2008 ECC Final Meeting Notes
- 2007 ECC Final Meeting Notes
- 2006 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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1-18-06 Final Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected2-22-06 Final Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.6-21-06 Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.8-16-06 Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected. - 2005 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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4-20-05 Final Funding Proposal Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.5-16-05 Final Funding Proposal Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.6-15-05 Final Funding Proposal Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.7-20-05 Final Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.8-17-05 Final Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.9-21-05 Final Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.10-19-05 Final Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected.11-16-05 Final Funding Proposal Subcommittee Meeting Notes
This document is password protected. - 2004 ECC Final Meeting Notes
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Project Documents
- Black Canyon
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Black Canyon Turbidity Monitoring Report - January 2, 2013
Bear River Final Variable Flow Report - September 12, 2011
Bear River Final Variable Flow Report Appendices - September 12, 2011
Black Canyon Boater Program Ramp Rate Study: Fish Stranding Following Boater-Flow Releases 11-24-10
2009 Black Canyon Monitoring Results - September 15, 2010
Black Canyon Program Ramp Rate Study, Yr 2 - November 11, 2009
2008 Black Canyon Monitoring Results - June 10, 2009
Black Canyon Program RampRate Study, Yr 1 - September 2008
Black Canyon Baseline Monitoring Report Sample Years 2005, 2006, 2007 - June 1, 2008
2006 Black Canyon Monitoring Results - March 30, 3007
2005 Black Canyon Monitoring Results - January 31, 2006
Black Canyon Final Monitoring Plan - May 17, 2005
Bear River Black Canyon Substrate Survey - December 30, 2004
- Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
- Cove Decommissioning
- Implementation Plan and Schedule
- Land Management and Site Plans
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Bear River Land Management Plan - FINAL (Dec 2011)
Figure 3.2-1: Soda Planning Area (PDF)
Figure 3.2-2: Grace Dam & Last Chance Planning Area (PDF)
Figure 3.2-3: Grace - Cove Planning Area (PDF)
Figure 3.2-4: Oneida Planning Area (PDF)
Grace Dam/Last Chance Site Plan - November 23, 2009
Soda Site Plan - September 9, 2009
Oneida Site Plan - September 8, 2008
- Operation and Compliance
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Operations and Compliance Plan - April 24, 2013
Oneida Development 2011 Operations Report
Oneida Development 2010 Operations Report
Oneida Development 2009 Operations Report
Oneida Development 2008 Operations Report
Oneida Development 2007 Operations Report
Oneida Development 2006 Operations Report
Oneida Development 2005 Operations Report
- Thermal Imaging
- Water Quality Studies
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Boater Flow Water Quality Study - November 2, 2010
Final Oneida Water Quality Summary - April 5, 2007
2007 Grace/Cove Water Quality Summary - January 2008
2006 Grace/Cove Water Quality Summary - January 2007
2005 Grace/Cove Water Quality Summary - January 2006
Grace/Cove Development Water Quality Monitoring Plan - June 18, 2004
Oneida Development Water Quality Monitoring Plan - June 18, 2004
Annual Reports
- 2006 Report
- 2007 Report
- 2008 Report
- 2009 Report
- 2010 Report
- 2011 Report
- 2012 Report
- 2013 Report
- 2014 Report
Water Release
- Bear River Gages
- Bear River Flows Water Year 2007
- Bear River Flows Water Year 2008
- Bear River Flows Water Year 2009
- Bear River Flows Water Year 2010
- Bear River Flows Water Year 2011
- Intrepretive Signs
- Utah Securities Corporation Stockholders Report Photos - March 31, 1915
- Oneida Development: 1915 - 1917; Volume I - IV
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Grace Dam Construction Photographs: 1913 (August - September)
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Grace Dam Construction Photographs: 1913 (September - October)
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Grace Dam Construction Photographs: 1913 (November - December)
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Grace Dam No. 2 Wood Stave Pipeline Construction Photographs: 1948 - 1957
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Grace Dam Reconstruction Construction Photographs: 1949 - 1955
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Soda Plant, Dam Development & Construction Photographs: 1917 - 1934
Historical Bear Lake Elevation (Excel document)
Public Safety Notification

Safety is a top priority for PacifiCorp. To ensure public safety at Bear River recreational areas, emergency evacuation sirens have been installed at Oneida Dam and nearby at the Red Point Campground (owned by the Bureau of Land Management).
The sirens have been installed as a proactive measure to prevent delays in communication in the unlikely event that sudden flooding or rapid changes in water flows force evacuation of the campground or areas immediately below Oneida Dam. These sirens are not intended to communicate evacuation orders to residences outside the area.
The sirens will not be used to alert people for other types of emergencies. Although residents outside the area of Oneida Dam may hear the sirens, they are not expected to take any evacuation actions and should instead listen for emergency information from local authorities.
Any necessary evacuations at other Bear River recreational areas will be conducted by PacifiCorp staff or local authorities as appropriate.
- Background Information
- Questions and Answers
- Inundation Area Maps
- High Flow Photos - 2017
- Dredging Evaluation