June 14, 2019
​Oroville Operations UpdateMain Spillway
Due to late precipitation and based on inflows, DWR has taken steps to prepare for potential use of the main spillway.
Currently, lake levels are being managed with releases from Hyatt Powerplant.
If DWR determines that it is necessary to utilize the main spillway in addition to Hyatt Powerplant to manage lake levels, DWR will notify the public and media. In early April, DWR utilized the reconstructed main spillway to make additional releases from the Oroville reservoir and the spillway operated as designed.
Lake Levels
Water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 894 feet.
A full reservoir is a welcome sight after years of drought and low lake levels to accommodate reconstruction. A filled lake provides optimal recreation opportunities and serves as a vital water bank account to help California cope with future drought conditions. It is common for the reservoir to stay relatively full during the summer months in an above average water year. In 2010 – 2011, another very wet year, the reservoir sat an elevation between 898 and 899 feet for the entire month of July.
Ongoing Work on Dam Crest Road
DWR is aiming to reopen public access to the top of dam (Dam Crest Road) this summer. In anticipation of the public opening DWR crews began removing small panels from the dam crest roadside barriers that contain asbestos on Tuesday, June 11. This work is expected to last for two weeks. Crews will wear protective suits and respirators to clean the panels in accordance with state health and safety regulations. DWR will share reporting about this work with Butte County Air Quality Management District and California Air Resources Board.
4th of July Celebration in Oroville
Oroville is always a great place to celebrate Fourth of July.  The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oroville and will be held at California State Park’s Thermalito North Forebay recreation area, as well as at the nearby Feather River Recreation and Park District's Nelson Sports Complex. Activities will start at the Sports Complex 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the fireworks display will start 30 minutes after sunset.
DWR has partnered with CALFIRE/Butte County and State Parks to prepare for the event including conducting a Vegetation Management Project to remove dry grass from an area in the North Forebay. The controlled burn conducted on June 10 around the location of the fireworks launch area will prevent the possibility of the fireworks starting a wildfire.
Follow the event’s Facebook page at Lake Oroville Fireworks for the latest information.
For more information, follow us on Twitter or Facebook and read our news releases and DWR updates.
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Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov.

The Forebay Aquatic Center is open for the summer season! This venue is the perfect place for anyone looking to be outdoors and in the water this summer.

For kids there are summer camps, field trips for schools, and equipment rental with all the safety measures to keep everyone safe in the water.

There are plenty of equipment rentals whether you are going by yourself or with a group. The choices are single kayak, sit-in kayak, tandem kayak, stand-up paddle board, pedal boat, hydrobike, and canoe. Rentals can be done per-hour up to entire season passes.

The Forebay Aquatic Center hosts a variety of events throughout their season, but are especially known for their Moonlight Paddles. Starting at sundown, the Forebay's staff offers a guided tour into the sunset and a paddle back to the shore under the moonlight.

Outside of water activities the Forebay is surrounded by a large picnic area which is perfect for birthday parties, family gatherings, and corporate parties. A portion of the Brad Freeman Trail also wraps around the Forebay that is perfect for a morning hike.

The Forebay is a California State Parks facility, so an $8 parking fee does apply. If you have any questions about recreation in the Oroville area, please contact the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce at (530) 538-2542.

Feather Fiesta Days, our hometown continues this week with the Big Day happening this Saturday! Today, we will be talking about what events will be taking place from May 7 through May 11. If you want all the details, head to FeatherFiestaDays.org.
May 7Trivia Night
The Exchange, 1975 Montgomery St.
Starting at 8:00 pm
May 8Pioneer Museum Open House
Pioneer Museum, 2332 Montgomery St.
12:00 to 4:00 pm
Potluck, Wine Live Music
Purple Line Urban Winery, 760 Safford St.
6:00 to 9:00 pm
May 10Feather Falls Casino Show n' Shine
Feather Falls Casino & Lodge, 3 Alverda Dr.
2:00 to 8:00 pm
72nd Kiwanis "Kiddies" Parade
Historic Downtown Oroville
Starts at 4:30 pm
Silence At The Disco
The Spirit Venue, 2360 Oro Quincy Hwy.
Starts at 8:00 pm
May 11Eagles "All You Can Eat" Pancake Breakfast
Eagles Hall, corner of Montgomery & Myers Sts.
6:00 to 10:00 am
Cost: $5.00
Native Sons of  the Golden West Bloody Mary Bar & Beer Garden
At Huntoon St. & Miner's Alley
11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Feather River Senior Citizen's Association Feather Fiesta Days Celebration
Feather River Senior Center, 1335 Myers St.
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Gold Rush Street Fair
Historic Downtown Oroville
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Oroville Docents Craft Faire
Sank Park, 1067 Montgomery St.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Exchange Club Grand Parade
Historic Downtown Oroville
Starts at 10:00 am
Gold Rush Car Show
Historic Downtown Oroville
7:00 am to 3:00 pm
12th Annual Gold Rush Car Show Get Together
Lowla's Hotrods & Heels Boutique, 1360 Myers St.
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
An Evening of Chocolate, Wine & Brew Gala Benefit Dinner
Gold Country Casino Resort, 4020 Olive Hwy.
6:00 to 10:00 pm
Tickets: $85.00 per person

The weather is perfect to take the family to a variety of camping spots Oroville has to offer. The breathtaking scenery around Oroville offers plenty of nature to explore on the land and in the water.
The Lake Oroville State Recreation Area offers a variety of camping amenities at the Bidwell Canyon Campground, Lime Saddle Campground, and Loafer Creek Campground. These include picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, sail and power boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, boat-in camping, floating campsites and horse camping. A special note should be made that currently in the Spring of 2019 Bidwell Canyon Campground has several FEMA sites to help house families that were affected by the 2018 Camp Fire that has affected camping availability.
To reserve a campsite at the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, head to Reserve California, or reach out to the individual campgrounds:
Bidwell Canyon Campground
(530) 538-2218
Lime Saddle Campground
(530) 876-8516
Loafer Creek Campground
(530) 538-2217
For those who enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of their RVs there are several places in Oroville that offer fantastic views and amazing customer service.
River Reflections offers a beautiful view of the Feather River. Call (530) 533-1995 or Visit the Website.
Riffles RV Park & Campground also offers amazing views of the Feather River and fishing. Call (530) 534-9956 or Visit the Website.
Lake Oroville Gold Country RV Community sits near Lake Oroville and has a pool, showers, and laundry machines. Call (530) 534-1133 or Visit the Website.
Feather Falls Casino gives you the complete KOA experience nestled in the foothills of Oroville. Call (530) 533-9020 or Visit the Website.
River One RV Park has boating and water sports near its location on the Feather River. Call (530) 533-8679 or Visit the Website.
Berry Creek Rancheria RV Park gives you easy access to the entertainment Gold Country Casino Resort Provides. Call (866) 991-5061 or Visit the Website.


If you want more information, always feel free to contact the Oroville Chamber at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com.

May 2, 2019Oroville Operations and Main Spillway UpdateLake Level
The current Oroville reservoir elevation is 884 feet. Total releases into the Feather River continue at 10,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). DWR is safely managing Oroville reservoir inflows from melting snowpack and plans to keep lake levels high through spring and summer. DWR is operating the reservoir in accordance with normal state and federal regulations. A full lake is a welcome sight after years of drought and low levels to accommodate reconstruction. Good news as we head into the summer months for all those who love to recreate on the lake!
Thermalito Diversion Pool and Brad Freeman Trail Reopening
The Thermalito Diversion Pool and Brad Freeman Trail will reopen to the public on Friday, May 3. Kayakers, mountain bikers and hikers can access both areas seven days a week from 8 a.m. to sunset. Kayaks, non-motorized boats (electric motors allowed) and non-trailered boats can access the day use area located along Burma Road and bikers and hikers can take advantage of the two-mile section of the Brad Freeman Trail along the northern shore of the Diversion Pool.
Main Spillway
Releases from the Hyatt Powerplant are adequate to meet operational requirements of the reservoir and there is no need to use the main spillway at this time. However, DWR may need to use the main spillway again this spring to manage inflows from snowmelt and will notify the public and media if this is necessary.
The Oroville main spillway is fully reconstructed and performed as designed when it was used in early April. DWR and expert consultants continue to monitor the main spillway, so workers may be visible on the spillway structure. When it is not in use, water on the spillway is from normal seepage through the spillway gates, which were not designed to be watertight.
Road Construction
Repaving operations continue on Oroville Dam Crest Road, the Spillway Boat Launch facility, and other nearby roads. Paving construction vehicles will continue to use Hyatt Access Road through May 29. Motorists and residents should anticipate additional construction traffic on Canyon Drive and on Oro Dam Blvd. East to the Hyatt Access Road Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. DWR apologizes for any inconvenience and will notify the public when there are any changes to this information. Thank you for your continued patience.
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For more information please contact oroville@water.ca.gov or visit:https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project/SWP-Facilities/Oroville/Oroville-Spillways

April 26, 2019Oroville Operations and Main Spillway UpdateCORRECTION: In our earlier notification, we stated that repaving operations on area roadways will be underway Monday to Friday through May 29. Paving will also take place this Sunday April 29 and on Saturdays through the end of May.
Oroville’s current reservoir elevation is 877 feet, an increase of 10 feet from last week. Total releases to the Feather River have also increased slightly to 10,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). Oroville’s operations plan is designed to safely accommodate inflows from the above average snowpack, and DWR is aiming to keep lake levels high through spring and summer. Currently, releases from the Hyatt Powerplant are adequate to meet operational requirements of the reservoir and there is no need to use the main spillway at this time. However, we may need to use the main spillway again this year to manage inflows from increased snow melt. DWR will notify the public and media of any planned use of the main spillway.
The main spillway performed as designed when it was used April 2 through April 10, with releases topping out at 25,000 cfs. DWR engineers will continue to perform a thorough inspection of the main spillway to further evaluate its performance and will continue to be visible on the spillway structure. Water currently seen on the spillway results from normal seepage through the spillway radial gates, which are not designed to be watertight. Sandbags are used to direct the flow of water to one side of the spillway or the other to allow for safe access by DWR engineers.
DWR contractors have begun repaving operations on the Oroville Dam Crest Road, the Spillway Boat Launch facility and other area roadways. Paving construction vehicles will continue to use Hyatt Access Road through May 29. Motorists and residents should anticipate additional construction traffic on Canyon Drive and on Oro Dam Blvd. East to the Hyatt Access Road Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience and will notify you if there are any changes. Thank you for your continued patience.
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For more information, follow us on Twitter or Facebook and read our news releases and DWR updates.

Feather Fiesta Days, our hometown celebration kicks off this Saturday! This unique festival is more than a one day run. There is plenty to do for the nine days this festival lasts.
Today, we will be talking about what is happening during this first weekend of festivities. If you want all the details, head to FeatherFiestaDays.org.
May 3First Friday Margarita & Salsa Taste-Off
Historic Downtown Oroville
5:00 to 8:00 pm
Tickets: $15
Dan Cribb at Purple Line Urban Winery
Purple Line Urban Winery, 760 Safford St.
6:00 to 9:00 pm
May 42nd Annual Color Run/Walk
Centennial Park
7:00 to 9:00 am
Registration: $25
Oroville Aerie FOE 196 5th Annual BBQ Rib Cook-Off
Eagles Hall at Myers & Montgomery St.
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Exchange Club's Ugly Dog Contest
Bedrock Park, 1101 5th Ave.
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Mother and Son Superhero Dance
FRRPD Activity Center, 1875 Feather River Blvd.
1:00 to 4:00 pm
Tickets: $20 a couple, $5 each additional child, $15 each additional adult
Days of Wine and Rose'
Purple Line Urban Winery, 760 Safford St.
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Donation: $20
The Pump and Dump Show: 2019 Parentally Incorrect Tour
Gold Country Casino Resort, 4020 Olive Hwy.
8:00 to 9:00 pm
Tickets: $25-$45
**Must be 21 or older to attend
May 51st Sunday Pancake Breakfast
Wyandotte Grange, 4910 Foothill Blvd.
7:30 to 10:30 am
Cost: $8 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under.

For all of you interested in the great outdoors, Feather Falls is a must see. The view of the towering waterfall is a 4.5-mile hike from the base. The total round trip from top to bottom is over 8 miles, so be sure to stay hydrated throughout your journey.
The falls reach a 410-foot vertical granite slab where it projects its energy through a narrow passageway. During the late winter months, the water levels reach maximum levels and allow Feather Falls to come alive.
The top of the falls is easily accessible and delivers a breathtaking scene of the deep valley that lies beneath. For those who are not fans of heights, an additional viewpoint was constructed that allows viewers to observe from a comfortable distance.
There is a big parking lot and pit toilets at the trailhead. There's only one trail from the parking lot and about 1/2 mi in it splits off to Upper/Lower Trails. The lower more strenuous trail is 3.5 miles and a moderate to heavy hike. The upper trail is moderate but a little longer hike of 4.5 miles. Most of all don't forget your camera! Feather Falls never disappoints and it is definitely a bucket list hike.
Click here for trail map.

On Saturday, January 26, Communications Coordinator, Amber Marron went on the Lake Oroville Visitor Center's Saturday Morning Nature Walk. This walk took us up Sycamore Hill on a beautiful morning.
The wind was crisp, but 17 other people joined me on this three mile walk. Hikers were both young and old, and with this being the toughest hike from January due to the steeper incline, everyone was able to complete the three mile walk just fine.
The guides from the Lake Oroville Visitor Center were always open to answering questions about species of mushrooms and plants to how the hiking trail was created. Once we climbed in elevation there were gorgeous views of the Oroville Dam and the river below.
  
Right before the very top there was a Trail Log for the Brad Freeman/Dan Bebee Trail which I signed. Unfortunately I could not make it to the very top due to my susceptibility to poison oak, so if you are looking to hike Sycamore Hill make sure to take precautions due to the presence of poison oak.


Overall it was a great time that I will continue to participate in! These weekly walks take place every Saturday with hikers meeting at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center at 9:00 am sharp.

Learn what it took to build the Nation's tallest dam and California's second-largest reservoir by touring the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.
There are free movies to watch, exhibits on the California State Water Project, a 46-foot viewing tower with free telescopes, and information on gold mining and Native American history.
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Activity: Morning Nature Walks

Don't miss the next Visitor Center's amazing Saturday Morning Nature Walk. Make sure to be at the Visitor Center by 8:45am.  The walk will start at 9am.