Bear Lake is the home of 13 different species of fish four of which are found nowhere else in the world.
GARDEN CITY – Bear River Association of Governments recently released a study that showed Bear Lake’s thousands of visitors are critical to the local economy and the surrounding ecosystem.
When the temperatures rise in the spring and summer there is a mass migration of Utah and Idaho residents heading to the land of raspberry shakes, blue skies and the clear cool water of Bear Lake. Some estimates say there are nearly half a million visitors each season who dip in the 109 square miles of clear blue water.
The Bear Lake Commission ordered the study to identify and document the lake’s contribution to property owners, businesses, government officials and local planners in the area.
“Every year, we see that more and more people are finding Bear Lake is a great place to recreate,” said Richard Droesbeck, park manager at Bear Lake State Park. “In order for visitors to have a good time, the lake needs to stay healthy.”
Understanding the regional economic impact of Bear Lake will help lawmakers and local officials make policies that will help ensure a sustainable economic future of the region. Earlier this year the Utah legislature approved $60 million to expand the Marina at Bear Lake State Park, adding 300 slips, further enhancing the opportunity for economic expansion in the area.
“Local spending by the numerous visitors and part-time residents attracted to Bear Lake has become the primary economic engine for the region,” said Evan Hjerpe, Ph.D., director of Conservation Economics Institute, which completed the study. “[This spending] is providing for sustainable economic development in a rural area with limited economic development opportunities.”
During the 2021 vacation season, Bear Lake visitors laid down approximately $48 million in the region. Visitor spending was directly responsible for 450 full and part-time seasonal jobs in the surrounding gateway communities.
In 2019, nearly 80% of homes built in Rich County were seasonal homes.
Also important to the Bear Lake economy is PacifiCorp which manages nearly 1.5-million-acre feet of water stored in the lake. The power company distributes water in the summer according to agreements with a host of water users for flood control, irrigation and power generation needs.
The Bear Lake Wildlife Refuge was also an important part of the study. The lake and the Wildlife Refuge are home to more than 150 species of migratory birds, fish, big game and small wildlife.
The study estimates the public would be willing to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to preserve water quantities and qualities in Bear Lake.
For additional information, please contact Lara Gale, larag@brag.utah.gov, with Bear River Association of Governments.
You can also see www.conservationecon.org/water for links to the study and executive summary.