July 2, 2021
Fourth of July Fireworks at Oroville
The Oroville Rotary Club will be holding a Fourth of July celebration at the Oroville Municipal Airport on Independence Day. While there will not be public access to the airport facility for the fireworks show, public areas around the airport will be accessible by personal vehicle to tailgate during the event. The nearby Clay Pit State Vehicle Recreation Area will be closed for safety reasons. A fly-in event in the morning at the airport will also take place.

The fireworks show will begin 30 minutes after sunset. Information on suggested viewing locations and other event information is available on the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce website at: https://www.visitoroville.com/oroville-fireworks.html. 
Photo: On the North Forebay in Oroville waiting for fireworks to start.
Oroville Recreation
The Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp will be open over the Fourth of July holiday weekend with future status dependent on lake levels. The gravel, single-lane, 4-wheel drive only, boat ramp at the Spillway opens this afternoon, July 2.

Boat ramp information can be obtained by calling the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) at (530) 538-2200 or visiting the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) website at www.parks.ca.gov/LakeOroville. Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas will remain open 8 a.m. until sundown. Summer access hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily is now in effect for the Spillway Boat Ramp Area - gates close at 11 p.m. The Oroville Dam Crest Road across Oroville Dam is available 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and open to pedestrians and bicyclists 24-hours a day. The Lake Oroville Visitor Center anticipates re-opening later this summer.

Visitors to the Thermalito North Forebay will find a full CA Parks facility with restrooms, picnic areas, a swim beach, and the Forebay Aquatic Center with kayaks, paddle boards, and other watercraft available for rent. The Monument Hill facility at the Thermalito Afterbay also provides boat ramp access, restrooms, a picnic area, and a swim beach.

Visit the California Parks LOSRA webpage for current information on facility status and campground reservations. An interactive map of recreation facilities in DWR’s Oroville-Thermalito Complex is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage at https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Lake-Oroville-Recreation. Information about the 11,000-acre Oroville Wildlife Area is available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Oroville-WA. 
Photo: Camping at the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area
Lake Oroville Visitor Center
CA Parks and DWR have issued a news release announcing both will be offering expanded educational opportunities at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center and State Recreation Area in the coming months. DWR is exclusively managing the Visitor Center as CA Parks transitions its educational programming away from the Visitor Center to various LOSRA locations as it further expands outdoor educational programs to educate visitors and provide high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities. DWR is recruiting additional staff to support operations and to assist with enhanced educational opportunities and informational displays at the Visitor Center that highlight California’s water delivery system and the importance of water in our lives. The Visitor Center will reopen later this year.

June 25, 2021
Oroville Wildlife Area Habitat Project
The sunflowers and safflowers planted this spring on 60 acres of the Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA) are growing taller. The nearly 12,000-acre OWA in Butte County is a popular stopping place on the Pacific Flyway for migrating and native birds. Managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the OWA also includes DWR’s Thermalito Afterbay reservoir, a prime habitat for migrating waterfowl and several endangered species.

CDFW farms more than 300 acres of grains, grasses, and flowering plants in the OWA to provide food (forage), shelter, and nesting cover for migratory and native birds. Recently, 60 acres in various locations around the Thermalito Afterbay were planted with sunflowers and safflowers.

Read more about CDFW’s 50 years of using dry-land farming techniques to add diversity to the area’s wildlife habitat on the DWR Updates webpage. DWR will be tracking the success of these 60 acres over the summer and photos can be found on DWR’s public photo sharing site by using the search term “Oroville Wildlife Area Planting”.  
Photo: Sunflowers grow in the Oroville Wildlife Area to provide forage and habitat for wildlife and birds.
Drought Information
California is no stranger to drought; it is a recurring feature of our climate. Lake Oroville’s low lake levels are a reminder of this cycle of dry and wet years. This year’s drought conditions are being felt across the western United States, with many areas, including California’s Central Valley, identified as being in “extreme drought” - the highest category of drought conditions.

DWR has created a “Drought” webpage where definitions, historical trends, current information, and maps of California’s water systems can be found. Links to resources, DWR activities, research, and data are available. Read about how heatwaves are impacting drought conditions on the DWR Updates webpage.

DWR is encouraging water conservation efforts by all Californians. Find out ways you can help by visiting the “Save Our Water” website.

June 18, 2021
Drought Information
California is no stranger to drought; it is a recurring feature of our climate. Lake Oroville’s low lake levels are a reminder of this cycle of dry and wet years. This year’s drought conditions are being felt across the western United States, with many areas, including California’s Central Valley, identified as being in “extreme drought” - the highest category of drought conditions.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has created a “Drought” webpage where definitions, historical trends, current information, and maps of California’s water systems can be found. Links to resources, DWR activities, research, and data are available.

DWR is encouraging water conservation efforts by all Californians. Find out ways you can help by visiting the “Save Our Water” website.
Lake Oroville Boat Ramp Status
Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp is currently open with future status dependent on lake levels. Boat ramp information can be obtained by calling the CA Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) at (530) 538-2200 or visiting the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) website at www.parks.ca.gov/LakeOroville. Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas will remain open 8 a.m. until sundown. 
Oroville Recreation
Visitors to the Thermalito North Forebay will find a full CA Parks facility with restrooms, picnic areas, a swim beach, and the Forebay Aquatic Center with kayaks, paddle boards, and other watercraft available for rent. The Monument Hill facility at the Thermalito Afterbay also provides boat ramp access, restrooms, picnic area, and a swim beach.

More than 97 miles of trails and numerous Day Use Area (DUA) facilities with picnic tables and restrooms at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) are open 8 a.m. to sunset. Bidwell, Lime Saddle, and Loafer Creek Recreation Areas are open 24 hours. Summer access hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily is now in effect for the Spillway Boat Ramp Area - gates close at 11 p.m. Vehicle access to Oroville Dam Crest Road across Oroville Dam is available 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Exercise enthusiasts can log a round-trip of just over two miles while they enjoy the spectacular views from Oroville Dam Crest Road across the top of the dam, which is open to walkers, joggers, and bicyclists 24-hours a day. Surrounded by trails, the Thermalito Diversion Pool is open for kayaking and other non-motorized boating, trailered boats are not permitted at this location. The Feather River Fish Hatchery’s viewing area and fish ladder are open to the public. The Lake Oroville Visitor Center remains closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Visit the California Parks LOSRA webpage for current information on facility status, campground reservations, and to find current requirements to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. An interactive map of recreation facilities in DWR’s Oroville-Thermalito Complex is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. Information about the 11,000-acre Oroville Wildlife Area is available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage.
Photo: Swim beach at North Forebay Recreation Area
Thermalito Afterbay Outlet Work
Divers have nearly completed work on the first stage of a 3-year project to increase the operational reliability of the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet radial gates. The gates of the Outlet have been closed this past week to allow divers to perform underwater work. The Outlet’s required flows to the Feather River were routed to the river’s Low Flow Channel that runs from the Thermalito Diversion Dam through Oroville.

As work is completed, the gates will be reopened, allowing river flows through the Low Flow Channel to gradually decrease during the week of June 21 as flows from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet are restored. River users are always advised to be aware of currents and colder water temperatures.

June 11, 2021
Thermalito Afterbay Outlet Work
A project to increase the operational reliability of the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet radial gates will require closure of the gates to allow divers to perform underwater work. Required flows to the Feather River will be routed to the river’s Low Flow Channel that runs from the Thermalito Diversion Dam through Oroville beginning on June 11.

Flows will gradually increase from 950 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2,550 cfs by June 15 resulting in swift water and an increase in river height of about one foot from the Thermalito Diversion Dam down to the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. The gates will be closed until June 21 with river flows through the Low Flow Channel gradually decreasing the rest of that week as flows from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet are restored. River users are always advised to be aware of currents and colder water temperatures.
Lake Oroville Boat Ramp Status
The Lime Saddle and Loafer Point boat ramps closed June 3. Although water may still cover the bottom of a boat ramp, there is not enough depth over the paved ramp to safely launch and trailer boats. Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas will remain open from 8 a.m. until sundown.

The Spillway boat ramp will remain open for the weekend of June 12 to June 13 and is anticipated to close early next week. Bidwell Canyon is currently open with future status dependent on lake levels. Boat ramp information can be obtained by calling the CA Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) at 530-538-2200 or visiting the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) website at www.parks.ca.gov/LakeOroville. 
Grazing Goats Reduce Fire Risk
Over 1,500 bleating goats mixed with sheep may be heard by trail users and Kelly Ridge residents beginning Sunday, June 13 in the Kelly Ridge area. Grazing efforts will start at the Saddle Dam Recreation Area, move north along the Dan Beebe and Bidwell Canyon trails, and will finish near the Bidwell Canyon recreation area at Arroyo Drive. DWR in partnership with Butte County Fire Safe Council, has contracted with Hanski Family Farms in Paradise to utilize grazing as a sustainable method of fuel reduction to help minimize the risk or lessen the spread of a wildfire. 
 
The goats and sheep will graze on dried grasses, leaves, invasive and non-invasive plants including poison oak and star thistle, and a variety of shrubs and trees. By standing on their hind legs, goats can reduce ladder fuels (overgrown vegetation that allows fire to climb from the forest floor into the taller shrubs and into the tree canopy) up to four feet high. The grazing area will be cordoned off with an electric fence and monitored by herdsmen and livestock guardian dogs to protect the animals. The public is urged to stay clear of the electric fence and keep pets away, so the goats are not disturbed.
 
This work is part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan which helps reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest health in areas around Lake Oroville within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) project boundary. Approximately 34 acres will be grazed over the next couple weeks.
 
To learn more and see goat grazing in action, visit DWR’s YouTube channel for a video of the March 2021 Lakeland Blvd. goat grazing project. 
Photo: Grazing goats feast on shrubs and trees at Lakeland Blvd. in April

May 28, 2021
Oroville Recreation
Visitors to Lake Oroville for the Memorial Day holiday will find the Lime Saddle, Bidwell Canyon Stage III, Spillway, and the newly opened Loafer Point Stage II boat ramps open for use. Although currently at just under half of the historical water storage average for this time of year, Lake Oroville still provides nearly 7,000 acres of water surface for fishing, water sports, and recreation.

More than 97 miles of trails and numerous Day Use Area (DUA) facilities with picnic tables and restrooms at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) are open 8 a.m. to sunset. Bidwell, Lime Saddle, and Loafer Creek recreation areas are open 24 hours. Summer access hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily is now in effect for the Spillway Boat Ramp Area - gates close at 11 p.m. Vehicle access to Oroville Dam Crest Road across Oroville Dam is available 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Exercise enthusiasts can log a round-trip of just over two miles while they enjoy the spectacular views from Oroville Dam Crest Road across the top of the dam, which is open to walkers, joggers, and bicyclists 24-hours a day. Visitors can also go to the Thermalito North Forebay’s Forebay Aquatic Center to rent kayaks and paddle boards. Sandy beaches are available at North Forebay and the Thermalito Afterbay’s Monument Hill.

Reservations for LOSRA campgrounds are available on the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) website, including reservations for the Lake’s floating campgrounds. Lime Saddle group camping remains closed. The Lake Oroville Visitor Center remains closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Visit the California Parks LOSRA webpage for current information on facility status, campground reservations, and to find current requirements to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Information can also be found on the Lake Oroville Recreation webpage and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage.
Photo: Enjoying the water at Lake Oroville
Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting 
The California Natural Resources Agency held its seventh Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission (OCAC) meeting on Friday, May 28. The online public meeting included an update on dam safety and presentations on risk assessment. Members of the public also asked questions and gained information on these and other topics. The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum for the community to provide feedback and ask questions. The meeting transcript and presentations will be available on the Commission’s website in the coming weeks. 
CAL FIRE Controlled Burn Planned at Thermalito Forebay
In cooperation with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and CA Parks, CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department plans to conduct a series of vegetation management (VMP) burns around the Thermalito Forebay during the first week of June, dependent on forecast weather conditions and fire personnel activity. The burns will be in areas near the Forebay Aquatic Center, Nelson Sports Complex, South Forebay near Grand Avenue, and near Wilbur Road and Tres Vias Road.

The VMP controlled burns have multiple beneficial impacts for the natural environment and public safety. The targeted grasslands are home to many vernal pools that support a high diversity of plants and animals, including rare and endangered species and species endemic to California (i.e., found nowhere else in the world).

Fire from carefully controlled burns is the most powerful tool to combat invasive plants and their seeds such as dry invasive grass buildup called ‘thatch’ and invasive plants such as star thistle. Removal of invasive species allows native plants and animal species, such as fairy shrimp, to thrive. The burns will also remove dangerous fire fuels from grassland adjacent to private property and near high-use areas. Up to 250 acres are targeted for burning. 

May 21, 2021
Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting 
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its seventh Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission (OCAC) meeting on Friday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The public meeting will be held online and will include presentations and public comment. The Commission will receive an update on dam safety and presentations on risk assessment. The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum to provide public feedback and be a voice for the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. For information on how to join the virtual meeting, please visit the OCAC website.
Over 65 Acres Treated Around Lake Oroville This Season
Fuel reduction work around Oroville continues to improve forest health and reduce fire risk. In partnership with Butte County Fire Safe Council, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the California Conservation Corps (CCC), CA State Parks, and CAL FIRE, DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) work has thinned approximately 25 acres of overgrown vegetation and trees, as well as cut, piled, and chipped approximately 40 acres of dead and dying hazardous fuels (trees and vegetation) from the North Complex wildfire burn scar at Loafer Creek.

CAL FIRE and CCC crews are continuing to work within the North Complex wildfire burn scar using heavy equipment and hand crews to cut, pile, and chip burnt vegetation and trees. The piles will be burned this fall when conditions are safe for burning. BCSO crews are continuing to chip cut vegetation near the Equestrian Camp at Loafer Creek. Green Mountain Contractors, Inc. just completed a 13-acre thinning and chipping project along Highway 162 and the entrance to Loafer Creek Recreation area. FLMP efforts will be winding down as hotter and drier conditions elevate risk of accidental ignitions. 
Photo: CA Conservation Corps crew clearing North Complex wildfire burn scar at Loafer Creek

May 14, 2021
Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting 
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its seventh Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission (OCAC) meeting on Friday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The public meeting will be held online and will include presentations and public comment. The Commission will receive an update on dam safety and presentations on risk assessment. The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum to provide public feedback and be a voice for the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. For information on how to join the virtual meeting, please visit the OCAC website.
Loafer Point Stage II Boat Ramp Opens
Boaters are using the newly completed Loafer Point Boat Ramp facility at the Loafer Creek Recreation Area. The six-lane boat ramp has 180 trailered parking spaces and provides immediate access to the open waters of Lake Oroville.

This Stage II facility provides boat launch capability when lake elevations go as low as 707 feet above sea level. As lake levels are anticipated to drop further due to drought conditions, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is planning to extend the ramp to lower lake elevations this fall and winter.
 
The Loafer Point Stage I boat ramp was completed in 2020 and added three new boat launch lanes from a full lake down to 805 feet and a new parking area. The new restroom facilities will be in service when Stage I is in use. Both boat ramps are adjacent to the Loafer Creek Recreation Day Use Area and Campground, rounding out a full-service recreation destination with nearby trails, campgrounds, boating, and marina.
Photo: Loafer Point Boat Ramp Stage II Facility

May 7, 2021
Loafer Point Stage II Boat Ramp Opens
The newly completed Loafer Point Boat Ramp facility is now open for use. The six-lane boat ramp has 180 trailered parking spaces and provides immediate access to the open waters of Lake Oroville. This Stage II facility will provide boat launch capability when lake elevations go as low as 707 feet above sea level. As lake levels are anticipated to drop further due to drought conditions, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is planning to extend the ramp to lower lake elevations this fall and winter.
 
The Loafer Point Stage I boat ramp was completed in 2020 and added three new boat launch lanes from a full lake down to 805 feet and a new parking area. The new restroom facilities will be in service when the water levels rise above elevation 805 feet. Both boat ramps are adjacent to the Loafer Creek Recreation Day Use Area and Campground, rounding out a full-service recreation destination with nearby trails, campgrounds, boating, and marina.
Photo: Loafer Point Boat Ramp Facility - Stage I in background, Stage II in foreground with Bidwell Canyon Marina in distance on right
Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee to Meet
The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) met May 7. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was not open to the public to protect public health. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recommendations regarding the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Recreation Plan for the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. To obtain a summary of the meeting, send a request to oroville@water.ca.gov.
Upper Feather Lakes Open for Recreation
Many Plumas National Forest recreation sites in the Frenchman Lake and Lake Davis Recreation Areas are now open. Lower water levels may affect placement of boat docks and limit what size boats may be launched. Information about campground availability and reservations can be found at www.Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. Campgrounds along Caribou Road in the Feather River Canyon (Highway 70) are also open; however, Lakes Basin and Gold Lake campgrounds remain covered in snow and will open later in the season. Visit Plumas National Forest’s recreation webpage for information.

April 30, 2021
Summer Hours In Effect at Spillway
Summer access hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily are now in effect for the Spillway Boat Ramp Area, Spillway Day Use Area, Potter’s Ravine, and North Fork Trails. While overnight parking for lake users is permitted in this parking lot, no egress is allowed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Hours of access to Oroville Dam Crest Road for motorists is 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round and accessible to bicyclists, joggers, and walkers 24 hours per day. Please note that overnight parking in the lot above the main spillway is not permitted. 
CAL FIRE to Conduct Rescue Training Exercise
A confined space rescue training will be held at the Edmund Hyatt Hydroelectric Powerplant on May 6 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The training will involve numerous CAL FIRE personnel and equipment which will be visible to the public in different locations around Oroville Dam and the Hyatt Powerplant. The public is advised this is a training exercise to provide participants with “real-time” rescue experiences to learn and refresh skills related to emergency preparedness and response. 
Oroville Wildlife Area Habitat Project   
The nearly 12,000-acre Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA) in Butte County is a popular stopping place on the Pacific Flyway for migrating and native birds. Managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for DWR, the OWA also includes DWR’s Thermalito Afterbay reservoir, a prime habitat for migrating waterfowl and several endangered species.

CDFW farms over 300 acres of grains, grasses, and flowering plants in the OWA to provide food (forage), shelter, and nesting cover for migratory and native birds. Recently, 60 acres in various locations around the Thermalito Afterbay were planted with sunflowers and safflowers. Read more about CDFW’s 50 years of using dry-land farming techniques to add diversity to the area’s wildlife habitat on the DWR Updates webpage. DWR will be tracking the success of these 60 acres over the summer and photos can be found on DWR’s photo shelter page “Pixel” by using the search term “Oroville Wildlife Area Planting”.  
Photo: Plowing and seeding at Oroville Wildlife Area near the Thermalito Afterbay

April 23, 2021
Loafer Creek Fuels Reduction Work
The Department of Water Resources (DWR), in partnership with Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC), started a 13-acre vegetation management project along Highway 162 and Loafer Creek Road on April 22. Green Mountain Contracting is using hand crews to thin and chip overgrown and hazardous vegetation. A one-lane road closure will be needed along the entrance to Loafer Creek Recreation Area when crews are chipping.

CAL FIRE continues hazardous tree and vegetation fuels reduction activities at Loafer Creek within the North Complex wildfire burn scar. Crews are using heavy equipment and hand crews to cut, pile, and chip burnt vegetation and trees. The piles will be burned this fall when conditions are safe to burn. Both projects are visible to motorists on Highway 162. The public is advised to use caution around work activities and reduce speeds around crews and equipment.

This work is part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) to reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest health in areas around Lake Oroville. To date, approximately 700 acres have been treated around the Lake Oroville area by DWR and its partners including CAL FIRE, the California Conservation Corps, BCFSC, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, and California Department of Parks and Recreation. DWR has the goal of treating and/or retreating an additional 1,000 acres over the next 5 years.
Photo: Crews perform brush clearing work at Loafer Creek Recreation Area