March 27, 2020


OFD Work Continues
Oroville Field Division staff continue to carry out essential duties including operations of Oroville Dam and affiliated power plants, maintenance and monitoring activities. Following guidance from Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OFD has made several changes in response to the dynamic situation including social distancing, telework and increased sanitary precautions for staff.

Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kills viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution.

Closures Update
The Lake Oroville Visitors Center and Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) campgrounds remain closed to help slow the spread of the pandemic disease and protect public health and the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff of California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR).

The Feather River Fish Hatchery is also closed to the public with the viewing area near the Fish Barrier Dam remaining open. As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of LOSRA, including hiking, biking and equestrian trails and boat launches, remain open with events such as fishing tournaments cancelled or postponed. Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available. 

State Parks and DWR continue to monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation closely and will follow guidance provided by the Governor’s Office and public health officials. Find current information on State Parks closures or restrictions at “Flatten the Curve at State Parks”. Public access information is also available by contacting DWR at dwrwebcomment@water.ca.gov, calling DWR at (916) 653-5791 or the LOSRA headquarters at (530) 538-2200.

Upper Feather River Lakes Recreational Closures
The U.S. Forest Service has closed all recreation sites, including boat launch facilities and campgrounds at Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis and Antelope Lake in Plumas County from March 26 to April 30 to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak, in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities. Public access to developed areas, excepting trailheads, is now prohibited at these State Water Project facilities.

CAL FIRE – Butte County Continues Vegetation Management Project
CAL FIRE continues burning brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek as part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) contractors also thinned overstocked trees and vegetation increasing CAL FIRE’s target area to approximately 20 acres. CAL FIRE activities will take place seven days a week as weather allows. Smoke from the burn piles may be visible by area residents and motorists on State Route 162 near the Forbestown Road area.

Current Lake Operations
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is nearly 808 feet and storage is about 2.28 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,390 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,883 cfs over the past week. A chance of light precipitation is forecasted over the weekend with dry and warmer conditions beginning the week of March 30. 

Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 56 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 54 percent of normal for this time of year.
 
Releases to the Feather River are at 1,750 cfs to conserve storage. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet.
  
All data as of midnight 3/26/20




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March 20, 2020

DWR’s Critical Functions Continue
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues operations to maintain critical functions while modifying the way we work in the face of the coronavirus to protect our staff. Following guidance from the Governor Newsom and California Department of Public Health, DWR has made several changes in response to the dynamic situation.

DWR continues to provide the state of California its core services of water delivery, flood protection, dam safety and infrastructure maintenance. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kill viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution.

Closures Due to Public Health Concerns
In an effort to protect public health and the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff as the state responds to the continued threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) and Department of Water Resources (DWR) have temporarily closed the Lake Oroville Visitor Center on Kelly Ridge Road. State Parks has also temporarily closed all campgrounds in the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) to help slow the spread of the pandemic disease. The Feather River Fish Hatchery is also closed to the public with the viewing area near the Fish Barrier Dam remaining open. The decision to close these areas are in accordance with guidance from the Governor’s Office via the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in an effort to protect our most vulnerable community members.

As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of LOSRA, including trails and boat launches, remain open. Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available. 

State Parks and DWR continue to monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation closely and will follow any guidance provided by the Governor’s Office via the CDPH, the CDC, and Cal OES. For the latest information on public access, you can contact DWR by email at dwrwebcomment@water.ca.gov or by calling (916) 653-5791. You may also contact LOSRA headquarters at (530) 538-2200.

CAL FIRE – Butte County Resumes Vegetation Management Project
With the return of wet weather, CAL FIRE has resumed burning brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek as part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) contractors also thinned overstocked trees and vegetation which increases CAL FIRE’s target area to approximately 20 acres. CAL FIRE activities will take place seven days a week as weather allows. Smoke from the burn piles may be visible by area residents and motorists on State Route 162 near the Forbestown Road area.

Current Lake Operations
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 806 feet and storage is nearly 2.26 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,273 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,655 cfs over the past week. After a couple days of dry conditions, additional rain and snow is expected beginning Sunday into the week of March 23. Up to two inches is in the forecast, with the bulk of it on Monday and Tuesday. 

Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 56 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 51 percent of normal for this time of year.
 
Releases to the Feather River are at 1,750 cfs to conserve storage. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet.
  
All data as of midnight 3/19/20



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March 13, 2020

Contractor Completes Boat Ramp for Loafer Point Boat Ramp Project

DWR contractor K.W. Emerson, Inc. has completed constructing the new three-lane boat rampat Loafer Point. The $5 million project includes construction of a 92-stall parking area with lighting, a restroom facility, three boat lanes that provide launching capabilities at lake elevations of 800 feet or higher and one boarding float lane. Parking lot and restroom facility construction continues with completion anticipated by August 2020. A project to construct a second-stage parking lot and boat ramp, for launching at lower water levels is also being planned. The Loafer Point day use area is currently closed to the public due to construction activities, however, all other Loafer Creek recreation areas remain open.

DWR and CAL FIRE Work to Reduce Fire Fuels at Loafer Creek

Visitors to Loafer Creek and motorists on State Route 162 near Forbestown Road may see crews cutting and piling brush on over 30 acres targeted for fuel reduction. These activities are part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) and CAL FIRE’s Vegetation Management Program which aim to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health by thinning and removing hazardous fuels and overgrown vegetation that increases the intensity of wildfires. CAL FIRE crews will return to dispose of the piles once sufficient rainfall has occurred to allow safe burning.

Motorists may also encounter one-way traffic controls on State Route 162 from Arbol Avenue to 1.5 miles past Forbestown Road as Caltrans crews perform intermittent tree work for the next several weeks in the highway right-of-way. Motorists should anticipate delays.

DWR Continues Installation of New Piezometers at Oroville Dam

DWR contractors continue the installation of eight new piezometers at the base of the dam. These piezometers will further monitor seepage and will be used to confirm the seepage measurements DWR already collects. Seepage is normal and expected, especially in large, earthen dams like Oroville. Seepage is measured and collected through a drainage system. If seepage were to change dramatically, it would indicate an issue that would need further investigation.

This work is part of the early implementation of the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), which is focused on identifying priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. Work will continue for several weeks, generally between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

There were 56 piezometers initially installed in the dam 50 years ago which, as anticipated, have since stopped functioning. DWR plans to install additional piezometers throughout the facility in the coming years.

Current Lake Operations
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is nearly 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,501 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,348 cfs over the past week.
 
A winter storm watch will be in effect March 14-16 in the Feather River Basin. Continued low snow elevation and precipitation is projected during the week of March 16. This change in conditions is welcomed considering the recent stretch of dry weather.

Approximately, three to five inches of precipitation is forecasted Saturday through Wednesday. Inflows into Lake Oroville are not expected to significantly increase over the next week because of the cold temperatures and dry conditions in the basin. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 47 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 42 percent of normal for this time of year.
 
Releases to the Feather River are at 1,750 cfs to conserve storage. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet.
  
All data as of midnight 3/12/20

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Lake Oroville Community Update
March 6, 2020

DWR and CAL FIRE Work to Reduce Fire Fuels at Loafer Creek

Visitors to Loafer Creek and motorists on State Route 162 near Forbestown Road may see crews cutting and piling brush on over 30 acres targeted for fuel reduction. These activities are part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) and CAL FIRE’s Vegetation Management Program which aim to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health by thinning and removing hazardous fuels and overgrown vegetation that increases the intensity of wildfires. CAL FIRE crews will return to dispose of the piles once sufficient rainfall has occurred to allow safe burning.

Motorists will also encounter one-way traffic controls on State Route 162 from Arbol Avenue to 1.5 miles past Forbestown Road as Caltrans crews perform tree work for the next several weeks in the highway right-of-way. Motorists should anticipate delays.

DWR Continues Installation of New Piezometers at Oroville Dam

DWR contractors continue installation of eight new piezometers at the base of the dam. These piezometers will further monitor seepage and will be used to confirm the seepage measurements DWR already collects. Seepage is normal and expected, especially in large, earthen dams like Oroville. Seepage is measured and collected through a drainage system. If seepage were to change dramatically, it would indicate an issue that would need further investigation.

This work is part of the early implementation of the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), which is focused on identifying priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. Work will continue for several weeks, generally between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

There were 56 piezometers initially installed in the dam fifty years ago which, as anticipated, have since stopped functioning. DWR plans to install additional piezometers throughout the facility in the coming years.

Current Lake Operations

The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is nearly 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,759 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,022 cfs over the past week.

During the week of March 9, there continues to be a chance of light precipitation. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 48 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 44 percent of normal for this time of year.

On March 5 through March 7, releases to the Feather River were reduced from 2,250 cfs to 1,750 cfs to conserve storage in the reservoir in case of continued dry weather. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet.
   
All data as of midnight 3/5/20

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February 28, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateDWR Begins Installation of New Piezometers at Oroville Dam
Next week DWR will install eight new piezometers at the base of the dam. These piezometers will further monitor seepage and will be used to confirm the seepage measurements DWR already collects. Seepage is normal and expected, especially in large, earthen dams like Oroville. Seepage is measured and collected through a drainage system. If seepage were to dramatically change, it would indicate an issue that would need further investigation.
This work is part of early implementation of the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), which is focused on identifying priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. Work will begin on March 2, 2020 and will continue for several weeks, generally between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. 
There were 56 piezometers originally installed in the dam fifty years ago which, as anticipated, have since stopped functioning. DWR plans to install additional piezometers throughout the facility in the coming years. 
DWR Collaborates to Seek Information on Atmospheric Rivers’ Impact on California’s Reservoirs
State and federal lawmakers have invested millions of dollars in a DWR program to research atmospheric rivers, mitigation and climate forecasting to increase knowledge about these massive streams of water vapor and wind that drop up to half of California’s yearly precipitation. DWR is collaborating with U.C. San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Yuba-Sutter Water Agency in a Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) program to incorporate weather and water forecasts into reservoir operations decision-making. Information about the FIRO program can be found here. Additional information about how “hurricane hunter” planes are assisting the effort was highlighted in a recent CalMatters article.
California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting
Thank you to everyone who participated in the third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Friday, February 21 in Oroville. A representative of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers discussed USACE’s role in flood management, the water control manual for Oroville Dam, and the water control manual update process. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks. Details about the Commission’s next meeting and more information about the commission can be found here: https://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/ .
PG&E Removes Trees Deemed Hazardous to Powerlines
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) contractors will be working on DWR property near Lakeland Road to remove trees presenting a hazard to powerlines in the area. Work activities will continue near the Thermalito Diversion Pool through the end of February.
Current Lake Operations
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,556 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,502 cfs over the past week.
Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of March 2. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 50 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 51 percent of normal for this time of year.
Releases to the Feather River are at 2,250 cfs to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  There is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 1,450 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet.   
All data as of midnight 2/27/20
*Note: Starting March 6, 2020, DWR will use the email marketing platform Constant Contact to send out the Lake Oroville Community Update. If you wish to unsubscribe from receiving this update, please email Oroville@water.ca.gov.  
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February 21, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdatePG&E Removes Trees Deemed Hazardous to Powerlines
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) contractors will be working on DWR property near Lakeland Road to remove trees presenting a hazard to powerlines in the area. Work activities will continue near the Thermalito Diversion Pool through the end of February.
CAL FIRE – Butte County Begins Vegetation Management Project
CAL FIRE work to burn brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek has been temporarily halted due to dry conditions. This work is part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Approximately eight acres are targeted as part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) to thin overstocked trees and vegetation that increase the intensity of wildfires. FLMP projects occur within the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary and FLMP projects are developed in coordination with federal, state and local fire and resources management agencies. Once sufficient rainfall has occurred to allow safe burning, the CAL FIRE activities will take place on weekdays throughout the spring.
California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting
Thank you to everyone who participated in the second Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Friday, February 21 in Oroville. A representative of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers discussed USACE’s role in flood control, the water control manual for Oroville Dam, and the water control manual update process. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks. For details about the Commission’s next meeting and for more information about the commission, visit: https://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/ .
Current Lake Operations
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 3,150 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 1,844 cfs over the past week.
Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of February 24. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 53 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 57 percent of normal for this time of year.
Releases to the Feather River were increased from 1,750 cfs to 2,250 cfs on Friday, 2/21, to meet to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  There is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 1450 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet.   
 All data as of midnight 2/20/20
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February 18, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateFebruary 2017 was a challenging time for Oroville residents and the surrounding communities. Since then, DWR has made improvements to the Oroville infrastructure and worked hard to restore trust and increase communication. DWR and its contractors have fully reconstructed the main and emergency spillways to continue ensuring flood protection to downstream communities. DWR is thankful to all the impacted residents for their patience and partnership as together we move forward to achieve our shared goals of public safety, a reliable water supply for the state, environmental protections and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.
CAL FIRE – Butte County Begins Vegetation Management Project
CAL FIRE continues work to burn brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek. This work is part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Approximately eight acres are targeted as part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) to thin overstocked trees and vegetation that increase the intensity of wildfires. FLMP projects occur within the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary and FLMP projects are developed in coordination with federal, state and local fire and resources management agencies. The pile burning will take place on weekdays throughout the spring.
California Natural Resources Agency to Host Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting in February
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its third Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Friday, February 21. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will take place at the Southside Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road. Additional information, including agenda and other meeting materials, are now available on the Citizens Advisory Commission webpage. The public is invited to attend.
 

Current Lake Operations

The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 804 feet and storage is 2.24 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 1,686 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 3,013 cfs over the past week. 
Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of February 17. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 56 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 62 percent of normal for this time of year.
Water is being released from Lake Oroville at a rate of about 1,800 to 2,000 cfs on a daily basis. Total releases to the Feather River are 1,750 cfs, with about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet to meet Feather River flow and environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Juaquin Delta.
All data as of midnight 2/13/20
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February 7, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateCAL FIRE – Butte County Begins Vegetation Management Project

CAL FIRE has started burning brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek as part of their Vegetation Management Program to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Approximately eight acres were targeted as part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) to thin overstocked trees and vegetation that increase the intensity of wildfires. FLMP projects occur within the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary and FLMP projects are developed in coordination with federal, state and local fire and resources management agencies. The pile burning will take place on weekdays throughout the spring.
Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee Holds First 2020 Meeting

The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) met on Friday, February 7, at the Southside Oroville Community Center on 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road in Oroville. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recommendations regarding DWR’s recreation plan for the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government, sports and recreation groups, and business and community organizations. The next meeting will be held May 1, 2020 and the public is invited to attend.
Dry Weather Helps Loafer Point Boat Ramp Project

The recent dry weather has allowed DWR’s contractor K.W. Emerson, Inc. to make rapid progress in constructing the new three-lane boat ramp at Loafer Point. The lower 300 feet of the 60-foot wide boat ramp is in place. Rising lake levels are not anticipated to impact the construction though the lowest 20 feet of the boat ramp is already underwater. The $5 million Loafer Point Boat Ramp Facility Stage One project includes construction of a 92-stall parking area with lighting, a new restroom facility, three new boat launch lanes to an elevation of 800 feet and one boarding float lane. The project is anticipated to be completed by August 2020. A project to construct a second stage parking lot and boat ramp, for launching at lower water levels, is also being planned. The Loafer Point day use area is currently closed to the public due to construction activities However, all other Loafer Creek Recreation areas remain open.
California Natural Resources Agency to Host Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission public meeting on Friday, February 21, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to Noon. This public meeting forum will include presentations and public comment at the Southside Oroville Community Center, 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road, Oroville, CA 95966, in the community center’s Multipurpose Room. At this meeting the Commission will be joined by a representative from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to discuss USACE’s role in flood control, the water control manual for Oroville Dam, and the water control manual update process. The meeting agenda and additional information about the Commission can be found here.
Current Lake Operations
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 803 feet and storage is 2.30 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 3,400 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 4,090 cfs over the past week.
Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of February 10. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 60 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 68 percent of normal for this time of year.
Water is being released from Lake Oroville at a rate of about 1,500 to 2,000 cfs on a daily basis. Total releases to the Feather River are 1,750 cfs, with about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet to meet Feather River flow and environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Juaquin Delta.
All data as of midnight 2/6/20
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January 31, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateDWR Conducts Second Snow Survey of the Year

Each month beginning in January and ending in May, DWR, and partner agencies, conduct 260 manual snow surveys at a variety of locations in the Sierra mountains to measure the depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) of the snowpack. The SWE is the amount of water contained in the snowpack, which provides DWR with a more accurate forecast of spring runoff. The January 2 snow survey at Phillips Station found 33.5 inches of snow depth and a SWE of 11 inches (97 percent of average for that location), Thursday’s snow survey found 40.5 inches of snow depth and a SWE of 14.5 inches. The statewide average of all measured sites shows a SWE of 12 inches, which is 71 percent of normal for this time of year. With little or no rain in the extended forecast, California residents are urged to be water-wise and continue their water conservation habits.
Oroville Dam’s Office of Emergency Services Approved Emergency Action Plan
A recent audit by the CA State Auditor reported on how many dams have had their Emergency Action Plans approved. Oroville Dam’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was one of the first approved by CA Office of Emergency Services under new EAP requirements legislation passed in 2017. Oroville Field Division, responsible for the operation of Oroville Dam and its related facilities, works actively with local emergency response and assistance agencies, law enforcement partners and community organizations to prepare, plan and respond to a dam emergency, including providing ‘real-time’ training to area partners. Complying with requirements from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Oroville Dam consistently operates with an EAP. The latest revision provides a comprehensive plan for responding to a variety of emergency scenarios involving Oroville Dam and its related facilities.
Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee Holds First 2020 Meeting

The first meeting of 2020 for the Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, February 7, at the Southside Oroville Community Center on 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road in Oroville. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recommendations regarding DWR’s recreation plan for the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government, sports and recreation groups, and business and community organizations. The public is invited to attend.
California Natural Resources Agency to Host Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting in February
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its third Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Friday, February 21. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will take place at the Southside Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road. Additional information about the Commission can be found on the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage. The agenda and other meeting materials will be posted in the coming weeks. The public is invited to attend.
Current Lake Operations
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 800 feet and storage is 2.2 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 4,620 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 9,565 cfs over the past week.
Dry and warmer conditions are forecasted this weekend. Into the week of February 3, expect cooler and continued dry conditions. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 64 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 76 percent of normal for this time of year.
Water is being released from Lake Oroville at a rate of about 1,900 cfs. Water from the reservoir is being used locally for rice stubble decomposition and to support waterfowl habitat and is also being used to meet Feather River flow and environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  Releases to support waterfowl habitat are expected to cease in early February.  Total releases to the Feather River are 1,750 cfs, with about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet.
All data as of midnight 1/30/20
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January 24, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateCalifornia Natural Resources Agency to Host Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting in February
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its third Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Friday, February 21, 2020. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will take place at the Southside Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road. Additional information about the Commission can be found here. The agenda and other meeting materials will be posted in the coming weeks.
California Conservation Corps Helps Construct Fish Habitat from Recycled Christmas Trees
The California Conservation Corps (CCC) continues to construct fish habitat structures at Lake Oroville and the Thermalito Afterbay using recycled Christmas trees collected by Chico and Oroville Boy Scout troops and the Biggs 4-H Club. To create the habitat, 15 members of the CCC team will bundle the recycled holiday trees together using a system of wire rope to anchor them in various locations on the lakebeds. These structures provide juvenile fish safe refuge, improving fisheries and recreational fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, bluegill and green sunfish. For over 25 years, DWR has worked with local groups to construct fish habitat structures, which is one of the longest continuously running fish habitat improvement programs in the State of California. The project is anticipated to be completed by January 29.
Loafer Point Boat Ramp Project is on Track for August 2020 Completion
As winter precipitation results in rising water levels in Lake Oroville, DWR’s contractor K.W. Emerson, Inc. is currently on track to successfully construct concrete slabs for the new three-lane boat ramp at Loafer Point. Eight slabs have been placed so far, completing the bottom 200 feet of the 60-foot wide boat ramp. Now working at an elevation of 830 feet, the efforts to out-distance rising lake levels appears to be succeeding. The $5 million Loafer Point Boat Ramp Facility Stage One project includes construction of a 92-stall parking area with lighting, a new restroom facility, three new boat launch lanes to 800 feet and one boarding float lane. The project is anticipated to be completed by August 2020. A project to construct a second stage parking lot and boat ramp, for launching at lower water levels, is also being planned. The Loafer Point day use area is currently closed to the public due to construction activities. Loafer Creek areas remain open.
Current Lake Operations
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 795 feet and storage is more than 2.1 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 3,370 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 4,690 cfs over the past week.
Cloudy conditions and chances of rain and snow are forecasted this weekend through the early part of the week of January 27 with dry conditions predicted for the latter half of the week. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin rainfall is below average, at 64 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 81 percent of normal for this time of year.
Water is being released from Lake Oroville at a rate of about 1,900 cfs. Water from the reservoir is being used locally for rice stubble decomposition and to support waterfowl habitat and is also being used to meet Feather River flow and environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  Releases to support waterfowl habitat are expected to cease by the end of the month.  Total releases to the Feather River are 1,750 cfs, with about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet.
All data as of midnight 1/23/20
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