  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] Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) will hold a meeting on Friday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Southside Oroville Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road, Oroville, CA, 95966. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recreation plan recommendations for Oroville Facilities owned by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from State and local government, recreation groups, and business and community organizations.  Flood Preparedness Week After two consecutive years with major flood events across the state, DWR is using California Flood Preparedness Week, which runs from Oct. 19 through Oct. 26, to encourage all Californians to prepare for flood season. With California just experiencing one of the hottest summers on record, it might be hard to think about dangerous, extreme flooding. But a warmer atmosphere can also hold more moisture, increasing the power of atmospheric river storms that hit the state and cause widespread flooding. Research increasingly shows that California’s climate will become hotter and drier, but the precipitation the state does receive will arrive in more powerful storms that can lead to bigger and more frequent flood flows. More than seven million California residents are at risk of flooding, and many don’t realize it. Flooding can occur throughout the state, from rural to urban areas, in valley and desert communities, in mountain regions, and along the coast. Communities that are downslope of recent wildfires are also especially prone to flash floods and debris slides, with landscapes impacted by wildfires taking up to five years to recover. To prepare for flooding, all Californians should follow three basic steps:
For information on obtaining flood insurance, visit https://www.floodsmart.gov/ For information on how you can prepare your household for flood emergencies, visit https://www.ready.gov/kit  Vegetation Management Activities This week, CAL FIRE, the California Conservation Corps (CCC), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and Butte County Sheriff’s Office crews successfully conducted a 160-acre prescribed burning throughout Loafer Creek Recreation Area and along Highway162 (Oro Quincy Highway). The controlled burn is part of an ongoing Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) aimed at reducing hazardous fuels to protect local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources. Fuel reduction activities such as thinning and chipping are expected to continue for several weeks. Crews have been working onsite for the past two months preparing for the burn. During this period, vegetation and trees were trimmed and scattered across the units to create a low intensity burn environment and fire control lines were set up to divide the burn area into smaller, manageable sections, minimizing risk to nearby residents and infrastructure. 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 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. 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. 1 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 766 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.75 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 51 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 1,650 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 2,450 cfs downstream. Total Feather River releases will be reduced to 1,750 cfs the week of Oct. 28. 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 10/24/2024. 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) has resumed vegetation management activities 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 crews are removing ladder fuels and preparing units throughout Loafer Creek and along HWY 162 (Oro Quincy Highway) for prescribed burning that is anticipated Wednesday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Oct. 25 depending on weather conditions. 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. Smoke from prescribed burning activities will be visible in the Oroville area. 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.  Brad Freeman Trail Improvements DWR is making progress 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. This week DWR crews began paving work to construct an 8-foot-wide asphalt path. Paving activities are expected to last through Oct. 24 with the work schedule subject to change based on material and crew availability. The Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and Garden Drive will remain closed during paving work. Additional planned trail upgrades include a 4-foot-wide decomposed granite path for pedestrians and the replacement of existing entrance bollards with wider, accessible box gates. The 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. Project work is being constructed in phases with completion possible this year depending on weather conditions.  Oroville Wildlife Area The 11,800-acre Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA) is a forested upland and riparian habitat along the Feather River and around the Thermalito Afterbay. Managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), in partnership with DWR, the OWA allows for additional outdoor recreation activities such as hunting, river- and pond-oriented fishing and boating, and wildlife observation and photography. Several trails cross throughout the OWA, providing opportunities for hiking and biking. The Feather River runs through the center of the OWA and several locations provide unpaved boat ramp access that accommodate both car-top and trailer launching. The OWA also provides anglers with walk-in access to 10 miles of the Feather River, one of the best steelhead fishing rivers in the state. Steelhead are a top-tier sportfish with steelhead season in full swing right now. Savvy anglers are fishing roe and egg-fly patterns in the riffles below spawning Chinook salmon. The OWA is a “Type C” wildlife area (hunting pass not required) and is open for hunting seven days a week with entry hours limited from 1.5 hours before sunrise to one hour after sunset. No rifles or pistols may be used or possessed on the wildlife area except at the designated shooting range (Rabe Rd. Shooting Range off Larkin Rd.; open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset). Lead ammunition cannot be used while hunting in California.  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. 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. 1 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 769 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.78 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 52 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 1,650 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 2,450 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 10/17/2024. 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 making progress 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. Starting Tuesday, October 15, DWR crews will begin paving work to construct an 8-foot-wide asphalt path. Paving activities are expected to last for two weeks with the work schedule subject to change based on material and crew availability. The Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and Garden Drive will remain closed during paving work. Additional planned trail upgrades include a 4-foot-wide decomposed granite path for pedestrians and the replacement of existing entrance bollards with wider, accessible box gates. The 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. Project work is being constructed in phases with completion possible this year depending on weather conditions.  Oroville Wildlife Area The 11,800-acre Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA) is a forested upland and riparian habitat along the Feather River and around the Thermalito Afterbay. Managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in partnership with DWR, the OWA allows for additional outdoor recreation activities such as hunting, river- and pond-oriented fishing and boating, and wildlife observation and photography. Several trails cross throughout the OWA, providing opportunities for hiking and biking. Other trails within the OWA are not officially designated and none are ADA accessible. The Feather River runs through the center of the OWA and several locations provide unpaved boat ramp access. Both car-top and trailer launching occur at many of these ramps. A restroom is available at the day use/camping area adjacent to the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet area. The OWA is a “Type C” wildlife area (hunting pass not required) and is open for hunting seven days a week with entry hours limited from 1.5 hours before sunrise to one hour after sunset. No rifles or pistols may be used or possessed on the wildlife area except at the designated shooting range (Rabe Rd. Shooting Range off Larkin Rd.; open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset). Lead ammunition cannot be used while hunting in California.  Water Control Manual Update Informational Meeting The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sacramento District will host a public meeting on October 15 to share information regarding water control manual updates for New Bullards Bar and Oroville Dams. The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Sutter County Veterans Memorial Building at 1425 Veterans Memorial Circle in Yuba City. USACE will present information on its water control manual update process, purpose and need, key issues, and the process timeline. Following the presentation, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the update process. Comment cards will also be available to submit questions or comments. Water Control Manuals are the operational procedures that guide storm-season operations to ensure dam owners comply with federal rules related to flood management for the protection of downstream communities. Updates to the Water Control Manuals for Oroville and New Bullards Bar are being considered to reflect recent improvements to forecasting and coordinated operations between the two reservoirs.  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. 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. 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, the Lake Oroville Visitor Center, and the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce 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. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Sept. 28 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 772 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.81 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 53 percent of its total capacity and 97 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 2,200 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 3,000 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 10/10/2024. 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]  Water Control Manual Update Informational Meeting The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sacramento District will host a public meeting on October 15 to share information regarding water control manual updates for New Bullards Bar and Oroville Dams. The meeting will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sutter County Veterans Memorial Building at 1425 Veterans Memorial Circle in Yuba City. USACE will present information on the water control manual update process, purpose and need, key issues, and the process timeline. Following the presentation, audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the update process. Comment cards will also be available to submit questions or comments. Water Control Manuals are the operational procedures that guide storm-season operations to ensure dam owners comply with federal rules related to flood management for the protection of downstream communities. Updates to the Water Control Manuals for Oroville and New Bullards Bar are being considered to reflect recent improvements to forecasting and coordinated operations between the two reservoirs.  California Prepares for Extreme Weather Swings The Department of Water Resources (DWR) previewed the new Water Year which started October 1 by highlighting preparations for more extreme weather events this season following a record hot summer across much of California and a looming La Niña pattern. Over the past decade, climate extremes have posed significant challenges to water managers, especially the extreme hot and dry conditions that frequently persist well past summer months and into the fall. California is seeing that right now with above-average temperatures forecast into October and no rain in the current forecast. At the same time, the water that California does receive will arrive from more powerful storms, and hotter temperatures will mean less winter precipitation falls as snow and more will arrive as rain, increasing flood risk. While Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently 98 percent of average, the latest outlook from NOAA’s Climate Predication Center shows a 71 percent chance of La Niña conditions emerging this fall. While seven of the 10 La Niña events this century resulted in dry years, research also suggests that even as the climate grows hotter and drier overall, the precipitation that California does receive will arrive in stronger storms, increasing the risk of flooding. More information about new Water Year preparations is available in DWR’s press release.  Oroville Salmon Festival DWR had a great time supporting the City of Oroville’s Salmon Festival celebrating the migration of native Chinook salmon in the Feather River. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our educational booth and took a free tour of the Feather River Fish Hatchery. DWR staff estimated that approximately 600 children and adults participated in DWR-led tours of the Hatchery, where Chinook salmon and steelhead are raised to improve fisheries populations throughout the state. DWR also partnered with the Oroville State Theater to showcase videos about efforts to support vital salmon habitat restoration, fisheries health, and population growth. To learn more about what DWR is doing year-round to support Feather River fish populations, visit our Storymap webpage.  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. 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. 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. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Sept. 19 are:
Current Lake Operations Lake Oroville is at 777 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.86 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 54 percent of its total capacity and 98 percent of the historical average. Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 4,200 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 5,000 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 10/3/2024. 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]  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]  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] |
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