  Oroville Salmon Festival Join the Department of Water Resources (DWR) at the Oroville Salmon Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a celebration of the migration of native Chinook salmon in the Feather River. Visit DWR’s booth at the Feather River Fish Hatchery, where we will have educational materials on water safety, salmon coloring activities for kids, and a salmon head photo opportunity. DWR Guides will also be giving free tours of the Hatchery, where DWR and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) raise Chinook salmon and steelhead to improve fish populations throughout the state. Other Salmon Festival activities include the Friday night salmon dinner, Motor Mania, Avie’s Place 3K color run, a food and beer garden, Kid’s Zone, and numerous shopping opportunities and vendor booths in downtown Oroville. DWR has also partnered with the Oroville State Theater to showcase videos about efforts to support vital salmon habitat restoration, fish health, and population growth. View the full Salmon Festival schedule at Visit Oroville.  DWR Helps Local Communities Prepare for Flood Emergencies DWR is awarding $1.4 million in funding for nine emergency response agencies across the state to increase their ability to respond to flood events. This funding will help put resources in the hands of local first responders tasked with protecting our communities. Locally, the Butte County Office of Emergency Services was awarded $110,250 to support flood emergency preparedness. California continues to adapt to an increase in extreme weather, with swings from dry conditions to dangerous flooding. The previous two winters have demonstrated the importance of planning for flood emergencies, especially at the local level. These latest grant awards will provide funding to emergency response agencies to replenish and bolster local stockpiles of flood fight materials, such as sandbags and levee-reinforcing muscle-wall, and fund flood planning activities and training exercises. See the full list of 2024 Emergency Response Grant awardees in DWR’s press release.  Routine Spillway Cleaning and Inspections Underway Following another wet winter requiring flood control releases from Oroville Dam’s main spillway, DWR has begun cleaning activities and routine annual inspections of the concrete spillway chute. Members of the public should expect to see crews using pressure washers, brooms, and small cleaning equipment, followed by engineers traversing the spillway on foot conducting the inspections through Oct. 4. Annual inspections of the main spillway are conducted by DWR engineers. During the inspections, engineers assess the condition of the spillway’s concrete slabs, walls, joint sealant, and dentates (energy dissipators at the base of the spillway structure). Routine maintenance activities are expected this fall based on inspection results and reservoir levels. The main spillway continues to perform well and operate as designed. The spillway was rebuilt to the highest engineering and safety standards with oversight and guidance by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), and an independent board of consultants. DWR performed a significant amount of inspection and testing throughout construction to verify compliance with project specifications. DWR also provides regular updates to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission, a public forum for discussing operations, maintenance, and public safety activities at Oroville Dam and its facilities.  Lakeside Access Road Now Open Lake Oroville’s water elevation has dropped sufficiently low to allow DWR to reopen the Lakeside Access Road, providing around-the-clock access to the Spillway Boat Ramp and Day Use Area. Construction of Lakeside Access Road was completed in 2022 and provides a direct route to the Spillway Day Use Area from Oroville Dam Crest Road without requiring visitors to pass through the California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspection kiosk. The CHP kiosk will now be closed with Lakeside Access Road’s reopening.  Geotechnical Investigation DWR has begun drilling associated with a geotechnical investigation of Parish Camp Saddle Dam located near the Lime Saddle Marina. The investigation will provide below-surface data needed to analyze and study the dam’s foundation. The geotechnical investigation is a recommendation by Independent Consultants as part of routine facility performance and safety reviews (Part 12D) that are reported to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). DWR’s drilling plan was reviewed and approved by FERC and the California Division of Safety of Dams. In addition to the sampling of soil and rock materials, DWR plans to conduct optical and geophysical surveys within select drill holes to further DWR’s understanding of the subsurface geology, rock quality, and foundation properties. DWR anticipates Parish Camp Saddle Dam field work to conclude by early November.  Oroville Recreation DWR, 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. Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the Lake Oroville 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. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Forebay, Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities for Chinook salmon and steelhead. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, boat rentals, and more. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Sept. 17 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 785 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.94 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 57 percent of its total capacity and 101 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 8,200 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 9,000 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 9/26/2024. 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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 Routine Spillway Inspections Scheduled Following another wet winter requiring flood control releases from Oroville Dam’s main spillway, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be cleaning and performing routine annual inspections of the concrete spillway chute. DWR contractor Syblon Reid will begin cleaning areas of the spillway the week of Sept. 23. Members of the public should expect to see crews using pressure washers, brooms, and small cleaning equipment, followed by engineers traversing the spillway on foot conducting the inspections. Annual inspections of the main spillway are conducted by DWR engineers. During the inspections, engineers assess the condition of the spillway’s concrete slabs, walls, joint sealant, and dentates (energy dissipators at the base of the spillway structure). Routine maintenance activities are expected this fall based on inspection results and reservoir levels. The main spillway continues to perform well and operate as designed. The spillway was rebuilt to the highest engineering and safety standards with oversight and guidance by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), and an independent board of consultants. DWR performed a significant amount of inspection and testing throughout construction to verify compliance with project specifications. DWR also provides regular updates to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission, a public forum for discussing operations, maintenance, and public safety activities at Oroville Dam and its facilities.  Lakeside Access Road Now Open Lake Oroville’s water elevation has dropped sufficiently low to allow DWR to reopen the Lakeside Access Road, providing around-the-clock access to the Spillway Boat Ramp and Day Use Area. Construction of Lakeside Access Road was completed in 2022 and provides a direct route to the Spillway Day Use Area from Oroville Dam Crest Road without requiring visitors to pass through the California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspection kiosk. The CHP kiosk will now be closed with Lakeside Access Road’s reopening.  Geotechnical Investigation Starting Sept. 23, DWR will begin drilling associated with a geotechnical investigation of Parish Camp Saddle Dam located near the Lime Saddle Marina. The investigation will provide below-surface data needed to analyze and study the dam’s foundation. The geotechnical investigation is a recommendation by Independent Consultants as part of routine facility performance and safety reviews (Part 12D) that are reported to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). DWR’s drilling plan was reviewed and approved by FERC and the California Division of Safety of Dams. In addition to the sampling of soil and rock materials, DWR plans to conduct optical and geophysical surveys within select drill holes to further DWR’s understanding of the subsurface geology, rock quality, and foundation properties. DWR anticipates Parish Camp Saddle Dam field work to conclude by early November.  Recreation Facilities Update Following Thompson Fire DWR and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) reopened a few Lake Oroville State Recreation Area trails and facilities this week following damage from the Thompson Fire. The Brad Freeman Trail (also known as Burma Road) that runs along the north side of the Diversion Pool between Cherokee Road and the Spillway Day Use Area is now open. A section of the Brad Freeman Trail between Oroville Dam Crest Road and the Lower Overlook has reopened in addition to a section of the Dan Beebe Trail between the Lower Overlook and Lake Oroville Visitor Center. The Diversion Pool Car-top Boat Ramp off Cherokee Road is also open for public use. DWR and State Parks continue to assess fire impacts to recreation facilities and prioritize recovery efforts. While additional facilities are expected to reopen in the coming months, long-term closures of some facilities are anticipated for repairs and ongoing hazard tree removal. Closures remain in effect at the following locations for hazard tree removal and repairs:
 Feather River Floating Classrooms Feather River Floating Classroom raft tours are returning this fall, and this year they are FREE! Sponsored and developed by DWR, the Floating Classroom program takes participants through Feather River spawning habitat while scientists with DWR and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission provide information on Chinook salmon conservation efforts, ongoing and planned research, restoration and monitoring projects, and fisheries management activities supported by DWR’s State Water Project. Free rafting tours this fall are scheduled each Saturday starting Oct. 5 through Nov. 9. Each Saturday will have multiple floating classroom sessions with limited seats. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis with up to four free tickets available per unique registration. Participants must complete the online risk acknowledgment and liability release form within three days (72 hours) of reservation confirmation or tickets will be forfeited. Reserve your FREE floating classroom ticket on Eventbrite.  Oroville Recreation Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the Lake Oroville 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. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Forebay, Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities for Chinook salmon and steelhead. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, boat rentals, and more. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Sept. 11 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 794 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.04 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 60 percent of its total capacity and 104 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 8,350 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 9,000 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 9/19/2024. 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]  Feather River Floating Classrooms Feather River Floating Classroom raft tours are returning this fall, and this year they are FREE! Sponsored and developed by DWR, the Floating Classroom program takes participants through Feather River spawning habitat while DWR and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission scientists provide information on Chinook salmon conservation efforts, ongoing and planned research, restoration and monitoring projects, and fisheries management activities supported by DWR’s State Water Project. Free rafting tours this fall are scheduled each Saturday starting October 5 through November 9. Each Saturday will have multiple floating classroom sessions with limited seats. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis with up to four free tickets available per unique registration. Participants must complete the online risk acknowledgment and liability release form within three days (72 hours) of reservation confirmation or tickets will be forfeited. Reserve your FREE floating classroom ticket on Eventbrite.  Hatchery Fish Ladder Opens Chinook salmon are completing their life cycle and returning home to the Feather River to lay eggs for the next generation of salmon. The fish ladder opened today, Sept. 13, with spawning activities at the Feather River Fish Hatchery expected to begin Sept. 17 once Chinook salmon have traveled up the fish ladder. Visitors to the Hatchery’s fish barrier dam overlook viewing area can view salmon congregating and jumping in the Feather River and see them up close through the underwater viewing window as they swim up the fish ladder. The overlook is located off Table Mountain Boulevard, east of the green bridge and across from the main hatchery facility. The fish ladder is expected to remain open through June 2025 for viewing opportunities. The Feather River Fish Hatchery’s spawning operations rear millions of Chinook salmon to be released every spring in the waters of the Feather River, San Pablo Bay, and San Francisco Bay to support Central Valley and Pacific Ocean fisheries. DWR owns and maintains the facility and provides funding to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for its spawning, rearing, and stocking operations.  Loafer Point Stage II Ramp Reopens The California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) reopened the Loafer Point Stage II boat ramp this week. Open for boat launch access between 680 feet and 805 feet elevation, Loafer Point Stage II offers three launch lanes, a boarding float, and is adjacent to the popular Loafer Creek Recreation Day Use Area and Campground. The Loafer Point facilities, consisting of two separate launch ramps, were completed by DWR in 2020 as part of a multi-year construction project representing the largest single recreation facility build-out at Lake Oroville in the past 50 years. The Loafer Point facilities extend down to a much lower elevation than the original Loafer Creek area boat ramp, giving boaters access to Lake Oroville later in the season, when some of the most comfortable temperatures are experienced at the lake. Loafer Point’s launch ramps also provide immediate access to the wide-open waters of Lake Oroville – there are no marina ‘slow speed zones’ to navigate. The popular location also provides nearby access to numerous State recreation hiking and biking trails, campgrounds, swimming beaches, equestrian facilities, and the nearby Bidwell Marina.  Oroville Recreation DWR, State Parks, 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 Lake Oroville 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. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Forebay, Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities for Chinook salmon and steelhead. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, boat rentals, and more. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between January 1 and September 10 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 803 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.14 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 62 percent of its total capacity and 107 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 8,350 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 9,000 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 9/12/2024. 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]  Campfire Restrictions During Red Flag Warning Days Even with summer days waning, the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area remains a prime location for camping year-round. But Oroville’s Mediterranean climate featuring hot, dry summers and high winds leads to an elevated fire risk in the region. During extreme fire weather conditions known as “red flag warning” days, campfires are prohibited within the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. This includes tiki-style torches and those in designated campfire rings. Additionally, portable cooking devices fueled by wood, gas, charcoal, pressurized liquid fuel, or jellied petroleum are also prohibited in Day Use Areas during red flag warnings. Portable cooking devices and lanterns fueled by gas, petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are only permitted at designated campsites. Temporary fire restrictions remain in effect until lifted by trained park staff following an assessment of current conditions and notification has been given to current park users. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) would also like to remind visitors that dragging chains is another common way that many fires start. Be sure to check your trailers and equipment before driving to ensure you are not dragging anything that could get hot or spark.  Oroville-Area School Tours A new school season is back in session with young minds ready to grow in their knowledge of local history and ecosystems. Fortunately, DWR offers free tours and educational programs for students throughout the region. Tour the Lake Oroville Visitor Center featuring 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. During the fall Chinook salmon spawning season, Lake Oroville Visitor Center guides also host free school tours of the Feather River Fish Hatchery. View salmon spawning activities in action, feed fish in the rearing raceways, and learn about the Chinook salmon lifecycle and the importance of the Hatchery in supporting salmon populations in the Feather River and ocean. Fall spawning tours book early, but the Visitor Center still has afternoon tours available. Free guided tours for schools are available by reservation. To book your tour, contact the Lake Oroville Visitor Center at (530) 538-2219.  Explore Loafer Creek Located along the southern shoreline of Lake Oroville, the Loafer Creek Recreation Area offers several hiking, equestrian, and biking trails that are largely shaded by trees. With current temperatures in the high-90 or 100-plus degree range, trails such as the Loafer Creek Day Use (1.7 miles) or Loafer Creek Loop (3.2 miles) offer a shaded respite from the scorching sun. Trails also run along Lake Oroville’s waterline, providing an opportunity to cool off in the lake after meeting your activity goals for the day. The Loafer Creek recreation trails can be accessed from the Loafer Point Campground and Day-Use area off Highway 162 (Oro-Quincy Highway), or trail users can connect to Loafer Creek through the Bidwell Canyon Saddle Dam Trail. The trails are open to equestrians and cyclists, but cyclists must stay on paved and dirt roads.  Oroville Recreation DWR, 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. 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. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Forebay, Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities for Chinook salmon and steelhead. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, boat rentals, and more. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between January 1 and September 2 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 812 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.24 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 66 percent of its total capacity and 110 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 8,350 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 9,000 cfs downstream. DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily. Releases from Oroville Dam’s main spillway ceased earlier this summer, 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 9/5/2024. 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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