  Using Advanced Lasers and Sonar to Determine Lake Oroville’s Storage Capacity With California experiencing extreme swings between severe drought and torrential rain, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) wanted to see if the State Water Project's largest reservoir, Lake Oroville, had shrunk (or lost storage capacity) due to weather swings and almost six decades of service. DWR utilized the latest terrain-mapping technology to determine if there have been any changes in the lake’s volume to optimize how the reservoir is operated and ensure accuracy in estimating California’s water supply availability. Lake Oroville was created in the 1960s with the construction of Oroville Dam. When Lake Oroville was filled in 1968, surveys estimated the dam impounded 3,537,577 acre-feet of water with a maximum depth of 690 feet and 167 miles of shoreline spread across the main reservoir and its three connecting Feather River forks. Because decades have passed since its construction, DWR sought to assess whether sedimentation (rock and silt settling on the lakebed floor) had altered Lake Oroville's storage capacity and topography significantly. Starting with an airplane-mounted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser system, DWR took advantage of the lake’s historically low water levels in 2021 to first map portions of the basin that would typically be under water during normal years. Then a boat outfitted with multibeam-sonar bathymetry instruments spent weeks in 2022 sending sonar pulses into the depths of Lake Oroville to map its underwater surface terrain. What resulted were highly detailed 3D topographic terrain models of the bottom of the lake, which DWR engineers used to calculate a new storage capacity of 3,424,753 acre-feet, approximately 3 percent less than previously estimated. “Having updated storage capacity data allows us to operate Lake Oroville in a more efficient manner,” said John Yarbrough, DWR’s deputy director of the State Water Project. “It ensures we are providing adequate flood storage protection during winter months and accurately accounts for the state’s water supply, which is especially important as we experience climate change-driven weather extremes.” Read more about DWR’s project to update Lake Oroville’s storage capacity on our blog. Note: DWR will start using Lake Oroville’s new storage capacity data for water operation calculations on Monday, July 1, 2024.  Fourth of July in Oroville Celebrate our nation’s independence on July 4 with a spectacular fireworks show at the North Thermalito Forebay Recreation Area located off Garden Drive in Oroville. This year’s display starts 30 minutes after sunset and has two primary viewing locations: North Thermalito Forebay and the Nelson Sports Complex. The North Thermalito Forebay Recreation Area opens at 8 a.m. with an $8 entrance fee. Popular for sailing and paddle sports, the North Thermalito Forebay day use area hosts non-motorized boating with a swim beach, a large picnic area with barbecue grills, and abundant shade trees. This area also has restroom facilities and drinking fountains. Open for Independence Day festivities, the Forebay Aquatic Center offers a wide range of rental equipment, from kayaks and canoes, to hydrobikes and pedal boats, which can be rented by the hour or day. North Forebay visitors are required to be off the water by sunset. The Nelson Sports Complex opens at 4:30 p.m. to reserve a prime spot for fireworks viewing. There is no entrance fee at this facility with festivities including food trucks, music, and vendors. Visitors are encouraged to bring coolers, picnic baskets, blankets, or lawn chairs. However, alcohol, glass containers, and pets are not permitted during Fourth of July celebrations. DWR and the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) provide resources and support for this City of Oroville/Oroville Chamber of Commerce event. More information about July 4 fireworks can be found at visitoroville.com.  Oroville Recreation DWR, State Parks, and CDFW maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. A paper trail map is available at various locations, including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the Visitor Center features interpretive displays on Oroville Dam, area geology, wildlife and habitat, hydroelectric power, and cultural and historical artifacts. View videos in the theater about the construction of Oroville Dam, walk or hike along nearby trails, and visit the 47-foot-tall observation tower that provides unsurpassed panoramic views of surrounding areas. Free guided tours for school and community groups are available by reservation. Parking and admission to the Visitor Center are free. Lake Oroville is one of the State Water Project’s premier recreational destinations and one of California’s best fishing spots. The lake provides both warm-water and cold-water fisheries and is a popular destination for bass tournaments. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, and boat rentals. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between January 1 and June 13 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 891 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.4 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 96 percent of its total capacity and 126 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 1,500 cfs through the City of Oroville with 4,250 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 5,750 cfs downstream. On Sunday, June 30 total Feather River flows will be increased to 8,000 cfs with Outlet releases increased to 6,500 cfs. DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily. Releases from Oroville Dam’s main spillway ceased in May, but water is still being released through the Hyatt Powerplant for power generation, water deliveries, and environmental requirements. When the main spillway is not in use, water may still be seen on the main spillway outlet as the seals on the eight radial gates are not designed to be watertight. The gate seals do not play a role in the structural integrity of the gates. Visitors to Oroville Dam may also notice minor amounts of water flowing from drains built into the emergency spillway. This is normal and expected given the emergency spillway design. The dam and emergency spillway continue to operate as intended. The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels and more at the California Data Exchange Center. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO.” All data as of midnight 6/27/2024. California Department of Water Resources
715 P Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Call our general information line at 916-820-8142 or email us at [email protected]
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 Lake Oroville Operations With warm temperatures here to stay in Northern California, runoff into Lake Oroville from snowmelt has significantly dwindled with outflows currently exceeding inflows. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues to meet water delivery and environmental requirements while optimizing water storage to allow for carryover storage into next year. Releases from Oroville Dam’s main spillway ceased in May with water being routed through the Hyatt Powerplant for power generation. When the main spillway is not in use, water may still be seen on the main spillway outlet as the seals on the eight radial gates are not designed to be watertight. The gate seals do not play a role in the structural integrity of the gates, which continue to operate as intended. Visitors to Oroville Dam may also notice minor amounts of water flowing from drains built into the emergency spillway. This is normal and expected given the emergency spillway design. The dam and emergency spillway continue to operate as intended. The information below reflects current reservoir level estimates. Forecasts can change quickly and may affect the estimates provided.
As the largest storage facility in the State Water Project, Lake Oroville helps provide water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland, while providing flood protection to downstream communities along with environmental and recreation benefits.  Fourth of July in Oroville Celebrate our nation’s independence on July 4 with a spectacular fireworks show at the North Thermalito Forebay Recreation Area located off Garden Drive in Oroville. This year’s display starts 30 minutes after sunset and has two primary viewing locations: North Thermalito Forebay and the Nelson Sports Complex. The North Thermalito Forebay Recreation Area opens at 8 a.m. with an $8 entrance fee. Popular for sailing and paddlesports, the North Thermalito Forebay day use area hosts non-motorized boating with a swim beach, a large picnic area with barbecue grills, and abundant shade trees. This area also has restroom facilities and drinking fountains. Open for Independence Day festivities, the Forebay Aquatic Center offers a wide range of rental equipment, from kayaks and canoes, to hydrobikes and pedal boats, which can be rented by the hour or day. North Forebay visitors are required to be off the water by sunset. The Nelson Sports Complex opens at 4:30 p.m. to reserve a prime spot for fireworks viewing. There is no entrance fee at this facility with festivities including food trucks, music, and vendors. Visitors are encouraged to bring coolers, picnic baskets, blankets, or lawn chairs. However, alcohol, glass containers, and pets are not permitted during Fourth of July celebrations. DWR and the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) provide resources and support for this City of Oroville/Oroville Chamber of Commerce event. More information about July 4 fireworks can be found at visitoroville.com.  Oroville Recreation DWR, State Parks, and CDFW maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. A paper trail map is available at various locations, including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the Visitor Center features interpretive displays on Oroville Dam, area geology, wildlife and habitat, hydroelectric power, and cultural and historical artifacts. View videos in the theater about the construction of Oroville Dam, walk or hike along nearby trails, and visit the 47-foot-tall observation tower that provides unsurpassed panoramic views of surrounding areas. Free guided tours for school and community groups are available by reservation. Parking and admission to the Visitor Center are free. Lake Oroville is one of the State Water Project’s premier recreational destinations and one of California’s best fishing spots. The lake provides both warm-water and cold-water fisheries and is a popular destination for bass tournaments. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, and boat rentals. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between January 1 and June 13 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 895 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.47 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 98 percent of its total capacity and 127 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 1,200 cfs through the City of Oroville with 3,300 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 4,500 cfs downstream. DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily. The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels and more at the California Data Exchange Center. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO.” All data as of midnight 6/20/2024. California Department of Water Resources
715 P Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Call our general information line at 916-820-8142 or email us at [email protected]  Lake Oroville Remains Full With temperatures remaining in the triple digits, Lake Oroville continues to remain at full capacity, offering ample water recreation and cooling opportunities for visitors. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is adjusting water releases from the reservoir as needed to account for increasing or decreasing inflows while maintaining flood protection for downstream communities. Releases are closely coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other water operators and adjusted as needed to maintain balance throughout the water system. DWR continues to monitor Lake Oroville levels to optimize water storage while meeting environmental requirements and allowing for carryover storage into next year. With Lake Oroville at full capacity, windy periods are likely to cause water to splash onto and over the crest of the emergency spillway. This will result in minor surface wetting of the downstream side of the emergency spillway crest and the very upper sections of the splash pad. Visitors to Oroville Dam may also notice minor amounts of water flowing from drains built into the emergency spillway. Both conditions are normal and expected given the emergency spillway design. The dam and emergency spillway continue to operate as intended. The information below reflects current reservoir level estimates. Forecasts can change quickly and may affect the estimates provided.
As the largest storage facility in the State Water Project, Lake Oroville helps provide water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland, while providing flood protection to downstream communities along with environmental and recreation benefits. Spring is an important time for water project operators to fill reservoirs like Lake Oroville ahead of dry months. It also is an important migration window for many native fish species. DWR is using the best available science to protect fish species. However, SWP operations have faced significant restrictions in the Delta this year that have impacted the ability in other areas of the state to capture and store the water needed if California sees a return to drought conditions.  MORE PRESCRIBED BURNS ANTICIPATED NEXT WEEK DWR, CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) will continue prescribed burn activities near the Thermalito Afterbay and Forebay between Thursday, June 20 and Saturday, June 22. Approximately 120 acres will be burned near the Thermalito Afterbay between north Wilbur Road and Tres Vias Road. At the Thermalito Forebay, approximately 140 acres will be burned across three different locations – near Grand Avenue and the Thermalito South Forebay Recreation Area, and around the north Forebay area near Garden Drive and Nelson Park. CAL FIRE is using this controlled burn as a training mechanism for its employees. Fire personnel will utilize the burn to train on specific strategies and tactics associated with wildland fires and firing operations. The burns are part of DWR’s Thermalito Vegetation Management Project, which was established in 2021 to improve valley grassland and vernal pool habitat. They also have the added benefit of reducing dry brush near the Thermalito Forebay and Nelson Park in preparation for the City of Oroville’s Fourth of July fireworks showcase. Burn activities are dependent on favorable weather conditions with the schedule subject to change. Smoke from prescribed burning activities will be highly visible in the Oroville area next week. DWR, CAL FIRE, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) previously completed a 100-acre prescribed burn along South Wilbur Road near the Afterbay to remove grasses and invasive vegetation. Annual grasses and other invasive species like the yellow starthistle degrade native grasslands and fire is a valuable tool to combat this degradation. Because invasive species have abundant seeds and dry material called thatch that build up on the soil, it is important to burn the same area multiple years in a row. When completed during the right stage in these species' growth cycle, the prescribed burns eradicate the current crop, reduce the dry residual thatch, and decrease the spread of seeds. The area has seen a significant decline in the volume of invasive grasses and starthistles since the project began. The burns also allow DWR to continue post-fire studies on vernal pool habitat. CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ADAPTATION STRATEGY The world’s leading climate scientists have made it clear - our window to avoid the worst impacts of climate change is narrowing faster than expected, and success requires unprecedented collective effort and transformational change. The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) recently released a draft of the 2024 update to the California Climate Adaptation Strategy and is seeking public feedback through July 12, 2024. The 2024 draft builds on the previously released 2021 Strategy and outlines the state's key climate resilience priorities, includes specific and measurable actions, and serves as a framework for collective efforts across California. CNRA is hosting a public workshop and community meeting on Tuesday, June 18 in Oroville to discuss the draft 2024 California Climate Adaptation Strategy and obtain feedback. Both meetings will be held at the Southside Oroville Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road, Oroville, CA. Food and refreshments will be provided at both sessions.
 OROVILLE RECREATION
Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the Visitor Center features interpretive displays on Oroville Dam, area geology, wildlife and habitat, hydroelectric power, and cultural and historical artifacts. View videos in the theater about the construction of Oroville Dam, walk or hike along nearby trails, and visit the 47-foot-tall observation tower that provides unsurpassed panoramic views of surrounding areas. Free guided tours for school and community groups are available by reservation. Parking and admission to the Visitor Center are free. DWR, State Parks, and CDFW maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. A paper trail map is available at various locations, including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. Lake Oroville is one of the State Water Project’s premier recreational destinations and one of California’s best fishing spots. The lake provides both warm-water and cold-water fisheries and is a popular destination for bass tournaments. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, and boat rentals. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between January 1 and June 10 are:
CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS Lake Oroville is at 898 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.51 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 99 percent of its total capacity and 127 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 850 cfs through the City of Oroville with 2,950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 3,800 cfs downstream. DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily. The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels and more at the California Data Exchange Center. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO.” All data as of midnight 6/13/2024.  Lake Oroville Remains Full With temperatures reaching triple digits this week, Lake Oroville continues to remain at full capacity, offering ample water recreation and cooling opportunities for visitors. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is adjusting water releases from the reservoir as needed to account for increasing or decreasing inflows while maintaining flood protection for downstream communities. Releases are closely coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other water operators and adjusted as needed to maintain balance throughout the water system. DWR continues to monitor Lake Oroville levels to optimize water storage while meeting environmental requirements and allowing for carryover storage into next year. With Lake Oroville at full capacity, windy periods are likely to cause water to splash onto and over the crest of the emergency spillway. This will result in minor surface wetting of the downstream side of the emergency spillway crest and the very upper sections of the splash pad. Visitors to Oroville Dam may also notice minor amounts of water flowing from drains built into the emergency spillway. Both conditions are normal and expected given the emergency spillway design. The dam and emergency spillway continue to operate as intended. The information below reflects current reservoir level estimates. Forecasts can change quickly and may affect the estimates provided.
As the largest storage facility in the State Water Project, Lake Oroville helps provide water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland, while providing flood protection to downstream communities along with environmental and recreation benefits. Spring is an important time for water project operators to fill reservoirs like Lake Oroville ahead of dry months. It also is an important migration window for many native fish species. DWR is using the best available science to protect fish species. However, SWP operations have faced significant restrictions in the Delta this year that have impacted the ability in other areas of the state to capture and store the water needed if California sees a return to drought conditions.  EXPLORE THE LIME SADDLE RECREATION AREA Just a short drive from the town of Paradise, the Lime Saddle Recreation Area is located along the western shoreline of the North Fork arm of Lake Oroville and accessible from Pentz Road. The boat ramp and day use area features picnic tables, sun shelters, ADA accessible flush toilets, a fish cleaning station, and trash receptacles. A five-lane boat ramp provides access to Lake Oroville with two lanes extending down to 702 feet for lower water access. At the top of the boat ramp, a parking lot provides ample vehicle and trailer parking with ADA designated spots. In addition, the Lime Saddle Marina offers supplies, gas for boats, and boat rentals so you can enjoy a day on the lake. Nearby campgrounds also offer close access to the lake and are perfect for quick dips to combat the scorching heat. Lime Saddle Campground features 50 total campsites – 44 individual (28 car/tent sites and 16 RV sites with full hookups) and six group campsites. Each campsite features a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Bathroom facilities offer flush toilets and showers for visitors. Further north, the Lime Saddle Group Campground features six group campsites with shade structures, multiple picnic tables, trash receptacles, a large barbecue, and a water fountain with spigot. Three of the group campsites at this facility are ADA accessible with the central restroom/shower building also offering ADA accommodation. With Lake Oroville at full capacity, it’s also the perfect time for a hiking or biking trip along the Lime Saddle Trail offering scenic views of the full reservoir. The 1.73-mile trail is accessible from Lime Saddle Recreation Road (marina access road) and routes visitors north before ending at the Lime Saddle Group Campground. DWR, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. A paper trail map is available at various locations, including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.  PRESCRIBED BURN COMPLETE AT THE AFTERBAY DWR, CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department, and CDFW completed a 100-acre prescribed burn along South Wilbur Road near the Afterbay on June 6. The burn is part of DWR’s Thermalito Vegetation Management Project, which was established in 2021 to improve valley grassland and vernal pool habitat. Invasive annual grasses and other invasive species like the yellow starthistle degrade native grasslands and fire is a valuable tool to combat this degradation. Because invasive species have abundant seeds and dry material called thatch that build up on the soil, it is important to burn the same area multiple years in a row. When completed during the right stage in these species' growth cycle, the prescribed burns eradicate the current crop, reduce the dry residual thatch, and decrease the spread of seeds. The area has seen a significant decline in the volume of invasive grasses and starthistles since the project began. The burns also allow DWR to continue post-fire studies on vernal pool habitat. Further prescribed burns around the Forebay and Afterbay are also planned for June 20 and June 21. Burn activities are dependent on favorable weather conditions with the schedule subject to change. The upcoming burns also have the added benefit of reducing dry brush near the Thermalito Forebay in preparation for the City of Oroville’s Fourth of July fireworks showcase. Smoke from prescribed burning activities will be highly visible in the Oroville area in the coming weeks.  OROVILLE RECREATION
Lake Oroville is one of the State Water Project’s premier recreational destinations and one of California’s best fishing spots. The lake provides both warm-water and cold-water fisheries and is a popular destination for bass tournaments. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, and boat rentals. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between January 1 and June 4 are:
CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS Lake Oroville is at 899 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.53 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 100 percent of its total capacity and 127 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 850 cfs through the City of Oroville with 2,950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 3,800 cfs downstream. DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily. The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels and more at the California Data Exchange Center. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO.” All data as of midnight 6/6/2024. |
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