Chapter Five: Bear Lake

Introduction

Anna McEntire

The stunning blue waters of Bear Lake have made it a rapidly growing destination for recreation. With that increase in visitation comes new challenges in managing water, plant life, wildlife, safety, transportation, and more. More than ever, we need to double down on evidence-based stewardship for the lake and its surroundings. That’s why Utah State University, in partnership with the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, launched a Bear Lake Needs Assessment, building off the state’s recently completed comprehensive management plan for the lake.

This project has brought together faculty and student researchers from across disciplines, creating a vibrant community of practice and unique comradery. By mobilizing a diverse cohort of experts, we’re not only building capacity within our academic community but also addressing urgent issues in a way that maximizes our collective strengths. The energy generated from working together on such a focused challenge has led to new ideas and innovative solutions.

At the heart of this effort is collaboration with the people who know Bear Lake best—state and local leaders, dedicated non profits like Bear Lake Watch, and the surrounding community. These partnerships are allowing us to remain nimble and responsive to the lake’s needs, whether it’s addressing invasive species, residents’ concerns, or the growing presence of microplastics.

In the following sections, we’ll highlight a few key projects that are part of this larger effort, demonstrating how we can protect Bear Lake’s future by balancing the needs of people with responsible environmental stewardship.

Figure 5.I.1 Bear Lake State Park visitation numbers (2003-2024)

Bear Lake State Park, Utah is just one destination for visitors to Bear Lake Valley, which has seen similar magnitudes of tourism increase all around the lake and surrounding areas.

Source: Utah Division of State Parks

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