Big Bear Watermaster
Protecting
a Shared Resource
The Big Bear Watermaster was established to safeguard the water rights and resources of the Big Bear Basin. The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District serves as one of three members of this court-appointed committee, created under the terms of a long-standing judgment that governs how water is stored, released, and used throughout the watershed.
The Watermaster’s role is both technical and collaborative. It ensures that the rights of all parties are honored and that the basin continues to operate as a stable, sustainable system. This work requires precise measurement, constant monitoring, and careful documentation of flows and storage. Each action supports a balance between local needs and downstream recharge that benefits the broader Santa Ana River system.
Coordinating Oversight and Reporting
Each year, the Big Bear Watermaster prepares a detailed annual report summarizing its activities, accounting, and findings. The report outlines storage levels, releases, and allocations as defined by the judgment in Case No. 165493. It also tracks operational data that influence the health of the watershed and the reliability of supplies reaching downstream basins.
The committee’s members include representatives from the Big Bear Municipal Water District, Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, and the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District. Working together, they bring technical expertise, local understanding, and regional perspective to every decision. These reports serve as both a record of accountability and a tool for coordination among the agencies that share responsibility for the basin.
Through its work with the Watermaster, the District helps ensure that every drop of water that passes through the watershed is measured, accounted for, and used responsibly.
Stewardship
through Partnership
The Big Bear Watermaster represents a model of cooperative management that has stood the test of time. It brings together local and downstream stakeholders who recognize that water cannot be managed in isolation. The committee’s decisions are guided by science, respect for the judgment, and a commitment to transparency. The District’s participation reflects its broader mission of stewardship—protecting not only its own recharge operations but also the upstream systems that make them possible.
