Upper Bear Creek

Upper Bear Creek is one of four dams that provide flood damage reduction, recreation, and water supply in northwest Alabama. The area is popular with all types of boaters, including canoeists and kayakers. The others are Bear Creek, Little Bear Creek, and Cedar Creek.

The Bear Creek area is popular with all types of boaters, including canoeists and kayakers. The Bear Creek Floatway, which flows from Upper Bear Creek Dam into Bear Creek Reservoir, is a popular spot for teaching first-timers to negotiate rapids and work with the current.

Below Bear Creek Dam, the Lower Bear Creek Canoe Trail provides a more leisurely float, running a total of 34 miles down the creek and all the way to Pickwick Landing Dam on the Tennessee River.

Upper Bear Creek: Facts & Figures

• Upper Bear Creek Dam was completed in 1978.     
• The dam is 85 feet high and 1,515 feet long.     
• Upper Bear Creek Dam is not a hydroelectric facility. It has no power generators and produces no electricity.
• Upper Bear Creek Reservoir extends 14 miles upstream from the dam.
• The scenic area is popular for fishing, picnicking, birdwatching, and sightseeing.

More Information on Upper Bear Creek Reservoir

Daily Lake Level

Water Trail Guide