December 18, 2020 DWR Opens Lake Oroville Low Water Launch Ramp The Department of Water Resources (DWR) opened a temporary low water boat launch site at the Oroville Dam Spillway Boat Ramp area. This facility is currently the only way to launch trailered boats until 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. Declining water levels at Lake Oroville have temporarily placed the Loafer Creek, Lime Saddle, and Spillway boat ramps out of service. DWR construction at the Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp area has temporarily prevented access to the lake at this location and the Spillway low water launch facility was opened to provide for boat launching and recovery until construction is completed at Bidwell Canyon. This gravel launch site will be available for use only by 4-wheel drive vehicles with experienced drivers. Signage will be placed to direct drivers to the appropriate launch and parking facilities. The Bidwell Canyon boat ramp is anticipated to open at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, however construction-related complications could delay this schedule. Launching conditions are subject to change due to weather, changing lake levels, or other variables. For information, contact DWR at 916-213-5205. For more information on Lake Oroville’s water elevations, visit the California Data Exchange Center at https://cdec.water.ca.gov/, select the Reservoirs tab, and then Daily Reservoir Storage Summary. Lake Oroville is listed in the Feather River section. Photo: Workers prepare to pour concrete at Bidwell Canyon Stage II boat ramp access road Dec. 17. New paved parking lot in background. Oroville Recreation Visit the California Parks Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) webpage for information on facility status as well as requirements to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many area trails offer hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities for viewing wildlife and the vistas of the Valley, Table Mountain, and the Diversion Pool. Information on trail restrictions and access status can be found on DWR’s interactive map on the Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. For information about the Oroville Wildlife Area, including the Thermalito Afterbay, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage. The Enterprise, Stringtown, and Foreman Creek boat ramp areas, LOSRA campgrounds, and Lake Oroville Visitor Center remain closed. Photo: Equestrian trails offer outdoor exercise for both horse and rider. Tour the Feather River Fish Hatchery The Chinook salmon spawning season is over and thousands of students, along with many adults, missed their annual visit to the Feather River Fish Hatchery which remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DWR Lake Oroville Visitors Center Tour Guides conduct well over one hundred tours between September and November for elementary and junior high school classes. To continue this valuable education for 2020, DWR developed a virtual tour teachers can share with their students. The “tour” begins at the hatchery fish barrier dam and moves throughout the hatchery as it follows the route of a real-world tour, including a visit to the processing room where hatchery technicians remove the eggs and milt from the salmon and move the fertilized eggs to the incubator room. The video also shows the technicians as they take scale samples and measurements. The virtual tour concludes with a visit to the rearing channels where nearly half a million steelhead fry are kept until they are big enough to be released back into the river. The video has been distributed to teachers in the greater Butte County area and is available on DWR’s YouTube channel. Photo: Feather River Fish Hatchery ‘raceways’ where juvenile fish continue their growth before being released. DWR Fuel Load Management Program DWR has resumed Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) projects to reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest and watershed health around Lake Oroville. Projects include work at Loafer Creek State Recreation Area to remove ladder fuels, dead and dying vegetation, thin unhealthy overstocked trees, and overgrown vegetation which increases the intensity of wildfires. Previous FLMP projects in the Loafer Creek Recreation area have been identified as contributing to the slowing of the North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line and preventing the fire from spreading forward. With help from area partners, approximately 660 acres have been manually thinned, re-thinned, grazed, and/or treated with prescribed fire since November 2012. DWR’s goal is to treat an additional 1,000 acres over the next five years. Photo: Grazing goats reduce vegetation at Lake Oroville’s Parrish Cove in 2019 Fire Impacts to Lake Oroville DWR is a member of the “Watershed Working Group” (WWG), a multi-agency team led by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), evaluating and identifying areas of concern in the Feather River watershed affected by recent wildfires. DWR’s partnership with the National Weather Service informs DWR preparations when precipitation events are forecast. In concert with our partners in the “Watershed Working Group”, DWR is actively monitoring area forecasts and burn scar conditions for potential impacts to Lake Oroville. DWR’s water quality experts have expanded water sampling activities at Lake Oroville to monitor for algal blooms and other environmental concerns. The clearing of debris entering Lake Oroville is part of ongoing DWR maintenance of Lake Oroville. Additional work is planned to protect boaters and ensure safe operation of dam facilities. Photo: DWR water scientists take samples from Lake Oroville for testing Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 700 feet and storage is about 1.25 million acre-feet. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 38 percent of normal for this time of year and snowpack is also below average at 50 percent of normal. This weekend and early in the week of Dec. 21, there is a slight chance of lingering rain and snow in the higher elevations in the Feather River Basin. On Dec. 18, total releases to the Feather River were reduced to conserve storage and remain at 1,550 cfs to meet downstream Bay-Delta water quality and flow standards. The Feather River flows consist of 800 cfs through the Low Flow Channel adjacent to the City of Oroville, and 750 cfs from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 1,550 cfs for the Feather River’s high flow channel downstream of the Outlet. All data as of midnight 12/17/2020 How Are We Doing? Your completion of a short online survey (only six questions) will help DWR enhance current communication tools and develop new ones to ensure more comprehensive and transparent communication to the public. And you can always email comments to [email protected]. Your participation is very much appreciated! ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to [email protected]. December 4, 2020 DWR Opens Lake Oroville Low Water Launch Ramp The Department of Water Resources (DWR), in conjunction with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), has opened a temporary low water boat launch site at the Oroville Dam Spillway Boat Ramp area. This facility will be the only way to launch trailered boats starting Dec. 14. Declining water levels at Lake Oroville have temporarily placed the Loafer Creek and Lime Saddle boat ramps out of service, and by Monday, Dec. 14, the paved Spillway Boat Ramp will also be unavailable. Current DWR construction at the Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp area will temporarily prevent access to the lake at this location starting Monday, Dec. 14. Bidwell Canyon’s Stage II boat ramp will be available from 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 to midnight Sunday, Dec. 13. Starting Dec. 14, the Spillway low water launch facility will be opened to provide for boat launching and recovery until construction is completed at the Bidwell Canyon boat ramp. This gravel launch site will be available for use only by 4-wheel drive vehicles with experienced drivers. Signage will be placed to direct drivers to the appropriate launch and parking facilities. The Bidwell Canyon boat ramp is anticipated to open between Dec. 24 and Dec. 27, however inclement weather could cause delays to this schedule. Launching conditions are subject to change due to weather, changing lake levels, or other variables. For information, contact DWR at 916-213-5205. For more information on Lake Oroville’s water elevations, visit the California Data Exchange Center at https://cdec.water.ca.gov/, select the Reservoirs tab, and then Daily Reservoir Storage Summary. Lake Oroville is listed in the Feather River section. Photo: Spillway low water boat launch access. Oroville Recreation All campgrounds in the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area have closed to comply with the recent ‘stay-at-home’ order for the Greater Sacramento COVID-19 region from Governor Gavin Newsom due to exceeding the 15 percent ICU capacity. Visit the California Parks Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) webpage for current information on facility status as well as current requirements to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Potter’s Ravine and North Fork trails near the Oroville Dam Spillway boat launch area are closed to repair fire damage, all of the Loafer Creek Recreation Area trails and day use areas are open. They and many other area trails offer hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities for viewing fall colors and vistas of the Valley, Table Mountain, and the Diversion Pool. Information on trail restrictions and access status can be found in DWR’s interactive map on the Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. For information about the Oroville Wildlife Area, including the Thermalito Afterbay, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage. The Enterprise, Stringtown, and Foreman Creek boat ramp areas, the Loafer Creek Recreation Area, and Lake Oroville Visitor Center remain closed. Photo: Equestrian trails offer outdoor exercise for both horse and rider. DWR Fuel Load Management Program DWR has resumed Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) projects to reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest and watershed health around Lake Oroville. Projects include work at Loafer Creek State Recreation Area to remove ladder fuels and dead and dying vegetation and thin unhealthy overstocked trees and overgrown vegetation which increases the intensity of wildfires. Previous work done in the Loafer Creek area has been identified as contributing to the slowing of the North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line and preventing the fire from spreading forward. The FLMP projects occur within the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary. The FLMP was developed and is carried out in coordination with federal, state, and local fire and resources management agencies. Since the Plan’s launch in November 2012, approximately 660 acres within the FERC project boundary have been manually thinned, re-thinned, grazed, and/or treated with prescribed fire. DWR is in the planning stage for several fuels reduction projects in various areas within the FERC project boundary including: the Hyatt Power Plant area, Bidwell Canyon Recreation area, Canyon Drive, Lime Saddle Recreation area, Feather River Fish Hatchery, and areas within the North Complex Fire burn scar. DWR’s goal is to treat an additional 1,000 acres over the next five years. Photo: DWR and CalFIRE conduct a control burn at Loafer Creek Construction of Loafer Point Stage II Boat Ramps Construction continues on the Loafer Point Stage 2 boat ramp project to build six new boat launch lanes and 180 trailered parking spaces, allowing boaters to enter the lake when lake elevations are below 805 feet and providing access to 695 feet if water levels allow that construction this winter. Constructing low water access boat ramp lanes in a reservoir presents unique challenges as contractors face rising water levels from winter precipitation. The Loafer Point Stage 2 project will be adjacent to an existing Loafer Creek Recreation Day Use Area and Campground, rounding out a full-service recreation destination with nearby trails, campgrounds, boating, and marina store. Additionally, immediate access to the wide-open waters of Lake Oroville will make Loafer Point a popular boat launching location. The recently completed Loafer Point Stage 1 boat launch added three new boat launch lanes to 799 feet, a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant parking area, and new restroom facilities. The Loafer Creek Recreation Area remains closed to the public for fire recovery work. Photo: Construction of Loafer Point Stage II boat ramp project. Bidwell Canyon marina is in the background. Fire Impacts to Lake Oroville The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is a member of the “Watershed Working Group” led by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The working group is a multi-agency team evaluating and identifying areas of concern in the Feather River watershed affected by recent wildfires. DWR’s partnership with the National Weather Service informs DWR preparations when precipitation events are forecast. In concert with our partners in the “Watershed Working Group”, DWR is actively monitoring area forecasts and burn scar conditions for potential impacts to Lake Oroville. DWR’s Division of Flood Management is assisting California Conservation Corps members to install erosion control measures in areas of concern and DWR water quality experts have expanded water sampling activities at Lake Oroville to monitor for algal blooms and other environmental concerns. The clearing of debris entering Lake Oroville is part of ongoing DWR maintenance of Lake Oroville. Additional work is planned to protect boaters and ensure safe operation of dam facilities. Photo: DWR water scientists take water samples from the upper reaches of Lake Oroville’s Middle Fork. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 701 feet and storage is about 1.26 million acre-feet. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 28 percent of normal for this time of year and snowpack is also below average at 37 percent of normal. Up to 1.5 inches of rain is forecasted this weekend in the Feather River Basin with continued chances of rain during the week of Dec. 14. During the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, total releases to the Feather River were reduced to conserve storage and remain at 1,650 cfs to meet downstream Bay-Delta water quality and flow standards. The Feather River flows consist of 800 cfs through the Low Flow Channel adjacent to the City of Oroville, and 850 cfs from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 1,650 cfs for the Feather River’s high flow channel downstream of the Outlet. All data as of midnight 12/10/2020 How Are We Doing? DWR is looking for your help to improve how the Department communicates with the Oroville community and persons interested in receiving information about DWR’s operations at the Oroville-Thermalito Complex. Your feedback through this online survey will help DWR enhance current communication tools and develop new ones to ensure more comprehensive and transparent communication to the public. Comments can also be shared by emailing DWR at [email protected]. Your participation is very much appreciated! ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to [email protected]. December 4, 2020 How Are We Doing? DWR is looking for your help to improve how the Department communicates with the Oroville community and persons interested in receiving information about DWR’s operations at the Oroville-Thermalito Complex. Your feedback through this online survey will help DWR enhance current communication tools and develop new ones to ensure more comprehensive and transparent communication to the public. Comments can also be shared by emailing DWR at [email protected]. Your participation is very much appreciated! Oroville Recreation The Lime Saddle boat ramp is now closed as water deliveries to meet river flow requirements and California’s State Water Project needs this dry fall have caused lake levels to fall below the end of the Lime Saddle boat ramp. Shuttle services for houseboat owners remains open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Oroville Dam Spillway boat ramp is open along with Bidwell Canyon’s boat ramp with restricted hours of operation (see section below). Loafer Creek Recreation Area remains closed for fire recovery and its boat ramps are also out of the water. While the Potter’s Ravine and North Fork trails near the Oroville Dam Spillway boat launch area and trails east of the entrance road to the Loafer Creek Recreation Area are closed to repair fire damage, many other area trails offer hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities for viewing fall colors and vistas of the Valley, Table Mountain, and the Diversion Pool. Information on trail restrictions and access status can be found in DWR’s interactive map on the Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. Visit the California Parks Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) webpage for current information on facility status as well as current requirements to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. For information about the Oroville Wildlife Area, including the Thermalito Afterbay, visit the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage. The Enterprise, Stringtown, and Foreman Creek boat ramp areas, the Loafer Creek Recreation Area, and Lake Oroville Visitor Center remain closed. Photo: Equestrian trails offer outdoor exercise for both horse and rider. Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp Construction Nears Completion Recent deliveries of concrete have allowed the Bidwell Canyon boat ramp project to make progress in expanding the parking area and providing two additional boat ramp lanes to allow launching when the lake drops as low as 700 feet elevation (above sea level). To achieve the project’s anticipated completion date in December, in addition to being closed weekdays, the boat ramp will be closed the weekend of Dec. 19-20. The boat ramps will be open 5 a.m. Saturday to midnight Sunday on the weekends of Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 11-12. Kelly Ridge and Arroyo Drive residents should anticipate large construction equipment and material deliveries in the area for the next couple of weeks. Photo: Boat ramp at Bidwell Canyon boat ramp ready for concrete DWR Conducting Salmon Carcass Survey DWR environmental scientists have been boating up and down the Feather River from Oroville to Gridley over the past couple of months performing their annual count of chinook salmon carcasses. Formally titled the Chinook Salmon Escapement Survey, these counts are very important in estimating how many fish have returned to the Feather River for spawning. As salmon return to the Feather River to spawn, or reproduce, it marks the end of their life cycle. But that is not the end of information they can provide. Carcasses missing their adipose fin (near the tail), means they were born at the Feather River Fish Hatchery, which also implants a coded wire tag with data that can be retrieved by the scientists. For more information on DWR’s Feather River Program’s carcass survey, as well as an informational video, visit the DWR Updates webpage. Photo: DWR scientist prepares to perform salmon carcass survey Construction of Loafer Point Stage II Boat Ramps Construction started on the Loafer Point Stage 2 boat ramp project to build six new boat launch lanes and 180 trailered parking spaces, allowing boaters to enter the lake when lake elevations are below 805 feet and providing access to as low as 640 feet. Constructing low water access boat ramp lanes in a reservoir presents unique challenges as water deliveries (decreasing lake levels) and inflows from precipitation (increasing lake levels) both impact construction schedules. The Loafer Point Stage 2 project will be adjacent to an existing Loafer Creek Recreation Day Use Area and Campground, rounding out a full-service recreation destination with nearby trails, campgrounds, boating, and marina store. Additionally, immediate access to the wide-open waters of Lake Oroville will make Loafer Point a popular boat launching location. The recently completed Loafer Point Stage 1 boat launch added three new boat launch lanes to 799 feet, a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant parking area, and new restroom facilities. The Loafer Creek Recreation Area remains closed to the public for fire recovery work. Photo: Construction of Loafer Point Stage II boat ramp project. Bidwell Canyon marina is in the background. Fire Impacts to Lake Oroville The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is a member of the “Watershed Working Group” led by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). The working group is a multi-agency team evaluating and identifying areas of concern in the Feather River watershed affected by recent wildfires. DWR’s partnership with the National Weather Service informs DWR preparations when precipitation events are forecast. In concert with our partners in the “Watershed Working Group”, DWR is actively monitoring area forecasts and burn scar conditions for potential impacts to Lake Oroville. DWR’s Division of Flood Management is assisting California Conservation Corps members to install erosion control measures in areas of concern and DWR water quality experts have expanded water sampling activities at Lake Oroville to monitor for algal blooms and other environmental concerns. The clearing of debris entering Lake Oroville is part of ongoing DWR maintenance of Lake Oroville. Additional work is planned to protect boaters and ensure safe operation of dam facilities. Photo: DWR water scientists take water samples from the upper reaches of Lake Oroville’s Middle Fork. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 705 feet and storage is about 1.29 million acre-feet. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 33 percent of normal for this time of year and snowpack is also below average at 45 percent of normal. Continued dry and cool temperatures are forecasted to continue this weekend and into next week. During the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 4, the total releases to the Feather River have been reduced to conserve storage. By Friday, Dec. 4, total releases will be 1,650 cfs to meet downstream Bay-Delta water quality and flow standards. The Feather River flows consist of 800 cfs through the Low Flow Channel adjacent to the City of Oroville, and 850 cfs from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 1,650 cfs for the Feather River’s high flow channel downstream of the Outlet. All data as of midnight 12/3/2020 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to [email protected]. |
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