 Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its 18th Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting. The virtual public meeting will include presentations and public comment. Presentations will include an update on winter forecasts and operations preparation from the Department of Water Resources (DWR); an overview of a recent joint State-local Oroville Dam emergency response training exercise led by DWR; a presentation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on its process to update the Water Control Manual, which prescribes day-to-day water flood control management for the Oroville Reservoir; and a commissioner-led presentation on how the Water Control Manual relates to public safety, including perspectives on public safety-focused objectives for the update. The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum for questions and feedback from communities surrounding Oroville Dam. For information about the meeting, please visit the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission website.  Feather River Fishing Opportunities Like Chinook salmon that migrate from the Pacific Ocean to the Feather River to spawn, steelhead trout have similar migratory practices, with most returning in the fall and winter months. With more than 1,300 steelhead trout migrating upstream from DWR’s fish monitoring station this year, the cooler months offer prime steelhead fishing opportunities in the Feather River. The Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA) provides walk-in access to several miles of the Feather River for fishing. In addition, the Thermalito Forebay and Thermalito Afterbay offer additional excellent fishing opportunities for steelhead. Lake Oroville is also 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, with excellent bass fishing opportunities during the fall and winter months. Be sure to check California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) fishing regulations before fishing. 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.  Watch for Ticks on Trails DWR staff are reporting high numbers of ticks this fall along Lake Oroville State Recreation Area trails and within vegetated or grassy portions of the Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA). Ticks are parasites that feed off the blood of a host such as an animal or human. They live in vegetated areas and crawl to the tips of grasses, brush, leaves, or branches and wait for a host to brush up against them. Ticks can carry diseases including Lyme Disease, which can be transmitted to a host and cause serious illness and long-term health issues. When recreating around Lake Oroville and the OWA, protect yourself from ticks using these methods:
 Exercising at Oroville Dam While Oroville Dam plays a critical role in providing flood protection to downstream communities, it is also a prime location for physical fitness. A 1.3-mile paved road and separated two-lane multi-use path runs the length of the dam’s crest, offering an opportunity for exercise while enjoying scenic views of both Lake Oroville and the valley. Free parking is available on either side of the dam’s crest with restroom facilities located at the intersection of Canyon Drive and Oroville Dam Crest Road. Additional nearby parking is available at the Oroville Dam Crest Overlook, with a short path connecting to the dam crest road. For early birds or late-night fitness enthusiasts, the dam crest path has full lighting, making it a great location for free outdoor recreation during the shorter daylight hours of the autumn and winter months. DWR, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (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.  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. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Nov. 1 are:
Current Lake OperationsLake Oroville is at 758 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.68 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 49 percent of its total capacity and 95 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 1,750 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 11/21/2024. DWR wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. The Lake Oroville Community Update will return on December 6, 2024. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to [email protected].
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 Exercising at Oroville Dam While Oroville Dam plays a critical role in providing flood protection to downstream communities, it is also a prime location for physical fitness. A 1.3-mile paved road and separated two-lane multi-use path runs the length of the dam’s crest, offering an opportunity for exercise while enjoying scenic views of both Lake Oroville and the valley. Free parking is available on either side of the dam’s crest with restroom facilities located at the intersection of Canyon Drive and Oroville Dam Crest Road. Additional nearby parking is available at the Oroville Dam Crest Overlook, with a short path connecting to the dam crest road. For early birds or late-night fitness enthusiasts, the dam crest path has full lighting, making it a great location for free outdoor recreation during the shorter daylight hours of the autumn and winter months. The Department of Water Resources (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.  Vegetation Management Activities DWR and its partners have resumed Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) activities on DWR property along Oro Dam Blvd. East near the Hyatt Powerplant, the Bidwell Canyon/Kelly Ridge area, and the Loafer Creek State Recreation Area. This multi-year project is reducing hazardous fuels and the risk of catastrophic wildfire by thinning vegetation using hand and mechanical methods, accompanied by chipping. By proactively reducing ground fuels, thinning overgrown vegetation, and removing dead and dying vegetation, firefighters have a better chance at suppressing a wildfire. HMPG work began in 2023 and is supported by grant funding totaling $667,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete a 220-acre hazardous fuels reduction project in the Lake Oroville area. Vegetation management activities may require the intermittent closure of several trails throughout the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. Trail users should be cautious when entering work areas and obey all posted trail signage. Since 2012, DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan has helped reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest health around the Lake Oroville area. Between early 2013 and June 2024, DWR and its local partners have treated or retreated more than 2,500 acres of vegetation. Ongoing vegetation management of this critical area remains a high priority for DWR and its partners at CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the California Conservation Corps (CCC), State Parks, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council.  Salmon Spawning Operations DWR and CDFW continue spawning activities for fall-run Chinook salmon at the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville. As part of their 2- to 5-year lifecycle, fall-run Chinook salmon traditionally migrate from the Feather River to the ocean, and return to the Feather River to spawn. Fall-run start returning as early as July and continue through November. Many make their way to the Hatchery, where DWR and CDFW staff process salmon by collecting, fertilizing, incubating their eggs, then raising and releasing fish. With lingering drought impacts to California Chinook salmon populations, DWR and CDFW have significantly increased Chinook salmon egg collection by several million to boost populations not only in the Feather River, but also in the Central Valley. Chinook salmon raised at the Feather River Fish Hatchery will later be released in the Feather River and San Francisco Bay to support inland and ocean fisheries. In addition, DWR and CDFW continue thiamine treatments to combat B1 vitamin deficiencies. This treatment improves the health of the fish, increasing the survival of Chinook salmon from egg to juvenile.  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. Below the Oroville Dam, the Thermalito Forebay, Thermalito Afterbay, and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities for Chinook salmon and steelhead. Be sure to check CDFW fishing regulations before you go out fishing. 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. 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. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Oct. 19 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 756 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.65 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 48 percent of its total capacity and 93 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 1,750 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 11/14/2024. 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]   Vegetation Management Activities The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and its partners are resuming Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) activities on DWR property along Oro Dam Blvd. East near the Hyatt Powerplant, the Bidwell Canyon/Kelly Ridge area, and the Loafer Creek State Recreation Area. This multi-year project is reducing hazardous fuels and the risk of catastrophic wildfire by thinning vegetation using hand and mechanical methods, accompanied by chipping. By proactively reducing ground fuels, thinning overgrown vegetation, and removing dead and dying vegetation, firefighters have a better chance at suppressing a wildfire. HMPG work began in 2023 and is supported by grant funding totaling $667,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete a 220-acre hazardous fuels reduction project in the Lake Oroville area. Vegetation management activities may require the intermittent closure of several trails throughout the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. Trail users should be cautious when entering work areas and obey all posted trail signage. Since 2012, DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan has helped reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest health around the Lake Oroville area. Between early 2013 and June 2024, DWR and its local partners have treated or retreated more than 2,500 acres of vegetation. Ongoing vegetation management of this critical area remains a high priority for DWR and its partners at CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the California Conservation Corps (CCC), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and the Butte County Fire Safe Council.  Salmon Spawning Operations DWR and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) continue spawning activities for fall-run Chinook salmon at the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville. As part of their 2- to 5-year lifecycle, fall-run Chinook salmon traditionally migrate from the Feather River to the ocean, and return to the Feather River to spawn. Fall-run start returning as early as July and continue through November. Many make their way to the Hatchery, where DWR and CDFW staff process salmon by collecting, fertilizing, incubating their eggs, then raising and releasing fish. With lingering drought impacts to California Chinook salmon populations, DWR and CDFW have significantly increased Chinook salmon egg collection by several million to boost populations not only in the Feather River, but also in the Central Valley. Chinook salmon raised at the Feather River Fish Hatchery will later be released in the Feather River and San Francisco Bays to support inland and ocean fisheries. In addition, DWR and CDFW continue thiamine treatments to combat B1 vitamin deficiencies. This treatment improves the health of the fish, increasing the survival of Chinook salmon from egg to juvenile.  Spillway Maintenance Activities In early October, DWR completed routine annual cleaning and inspections of Oroville Dam’s main spillway chute to assess the condition of the spillway’s concrete slabs, walls, joint sealant, and dentates (energy dissipators at the base of the spillway structure). Following inspections, minor concrete repairs, slab epoxy coating, and joint sealant work were identified for localized areas of the spillway. Maintenance activities are nearing completion with work expected to be finished by Friday, Nov. 15 depending on weather conditions. While the main spillway continues to perform well and operate as designed, periodic concrete and sealant repairs of the spillway are expected due to seasonal temperature variations, spillway releases, and sun exposure. 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.  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. 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. 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. Be sure to check CDFW fishing regulations before you go out fishing. 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 Oct. 18 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 759 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.69 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 49 percent of its total capacity and 94 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 1,750 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 11/7/2024. 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]  Brad Freeman Trail Improvements The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is nearing completion on a project to improve a 1.5-mile section of the Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and the Highway 70 Garden Drive overpass. In recent weeks, DWR crews finished paving work on an 8-foot-wide asphalt path. This week, crews began installation of accessible box gates at trail entrance points, which restrict vehicles while still providing access for equestrians, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Installation of a 4-foot-wide decomposed granite path for pedestrians is anticipated the week of Nov. 4, with the schedule subject to change based on weather, material, and crew availability. The Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and Garden Drive may be closed intermittently during work. This improvement project is supported by a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the National Park Service, with remaining funding for the $700,000 project provided by DWR.  Annual Grebe Survey Complete During the summer months, a unique bird makes its home in the waters around the Oroville-Thermalito Complex, with a little help from DWR. The Western and Clark’s grebes are aquatic birds with distinctive red eyes and pointed yellow beaks. During the summer, they arrive from the Pacific Ocean to nesting areas around the Thermalito Afterbay in Oroville. The grebes nest in shallow waters, attaching their floating nests to aquatic vegetation under the surface. Every year since 2004, DWR has established a goal of keeping Thermalito Afterbay water levels more consistent during the birds’ nesting season as part of our commitment to addressing wildlife needs. This year’s annual grebe survey was conducted over several weeks with 437 adults and 82 young grebes estimated at the Afterbay. Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) met Nov. 1 at the Southside Oroville Community Center. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recreation plan recommendations for Oroville Facilities owned by DWR. The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government, recreation groups, and business and community organizations. To obtain a summary of the meeting, send a request to [email protected].  Vegetation Management Activities Vegetation management activities are ongoing at Loafer Creek within the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. CAL FIRE, the California Conservation Corps (CCC), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and Butte County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted a 160-acre prescribed burn throughout Loafer Creek and along HWY 162 (Oro Quincy Highway). Fuel reduction activities such as thinning and chipping are expected to continue for several weeks. Work is part of an ongoing Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) aimed at reducing hazardous fuels to protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources. Vegetation management activities will require the intermittent closure of several trails within the Loafer Creek Recreation Area. Trail users should be cautious when entering work areas and obey all posted trail signage. In 2023, DWR was awarded Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds totaling $900,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete a 220-acre hazardous fuels reduction project in the Lake Oroville area. Fuel reduction locations include DWR property along Oro Dam Blvd. East, the Bidwell Canyon/Kelly Ridge area, and the Loafer Creek State Recreation Area. This multi-year project is reducing hazardous fuels and the risk of catastrophic wildfire by thinning vegetation using hand and mechanical methods, accompanied by chipping. By proactively reducing ground fuels, thinning overgrown vegetation, and removing dead and dying vegetation, firefighters have a better chance at suppressing a wildfire. DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan works to reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest health around the Lake Oroville area. Ongoing vegetation management of this critical area remains a high priority for DWR and its partners at CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the CCC, State Parks, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council.  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. 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. Be sure to check CDFW fishing regulations before you go out fishing. 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 Oct. 15 are:
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 764 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.73 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 50 percent of its total capacity and 96 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 1,750 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 10/31/2024. 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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