Loafer Point Boat Ramp Open
​The Loafer Point paved ramp reopened for boat launching this week. The ramp has three launch lanes at current lake levels, a boarding float, and is adjacent to the Loafer Creek Recreation Day Use Area and Campground with nearby trails, campgrounds, boating, and marina store.
Paved boat ramps are also available at Bidwell Canyon, the Thermalito Afterbay, and the Thermalito South Forebay. Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas are open from 8 a.m. until sundown with shuttle service and boat rentals available.

ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS
​This past week and heading into the New Year, a series of atmospheric rivers are hitting California, further bolstering the Northern Sierra snowpack, which is at 128 percent of normal as of Dec. 29. Atmospheric rivers are air currents that carry huge amounts of water vapor from the tropics to the West Coast and are a key feature in the California water cycle.
Atmospheric rivers account for 40 to 60 percent of California’s annual precipitation, often in powerful downpours that can hit in rapid succession. On the flip side, successive years without significant atmospheric river events has led to severe drought conditions throughout most of the state. California still needs above average precipitation throughout the winter to offset record-setting drought conditions.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is conducting the first snow survey of the season on Jan. 3, pending good weather conditions. Track precipitation, reservoir levels and snowpack data at the California Data Exchange Center.

FISH HATCHERY INCREASING FALL-RUN CHINOOK SALMON PRODUCTION
​DWR and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will increase the Feather River Fish Hatchery’s production of fall-run Chinook salmon in 2023 to approximately 9.5 million fish to combat the impacts of drought and a thiamine deficiency affecting natural spawning and in-river production.
The hatchery, owned by DWR and operated by CDFW, is seeking to produce approximately 8 million fall-run Chinook salmon smolts and 1.5 million fall-run Chinook salmon fingerlings in 2023 – a 3.5 million increase over typical production goals.
Two million of the additional salmon smolts produced will be trucked to release sites in the San Pablo and San Francisco bays to maximize survival. Another 1.5 million of these additional fish will be released into the Feather River earlier in the season and at a smaller size than typical river releases. This is an experimental effort to take advantage of more favorable weather and river conditions in early spring. 
For more information about increased fall-run Chinook Salmon production, read CDFW’s press release.

STEELHEAD SPAWNING 
​Feather River Fish Hatchery staff began steelhead spawning operations this week and will continue through early February. These fish will enter the hatchery via the fish ladder that leads up from the Feather River Fish Barrier Dam and can be seen at the viewing windows and facility. Once the spawned fish eggs have hatched, the juvenile fish will be reared at the hatchery for a full year and then released next winter into the Feather River. If there are any surplus fish beyond the production goal of 400,000, fish may be planted into the Thermalito Afterbay for recreational fishing.
Like the salmon that populate the Feather River, steelhead trout migrate from freshwater to marine (ocean), returning to freshwater environments to spawn. Unlike salmon, they can spawn several times during their lifetime and can live up to eight years. The “steelhead” name comes from their appearance, a more streamlined shape than Chinook salmon with a silvery or brassy color as an adult.
The Feather River Fish Hatchery is a California State Water Project (SWP) facility built in the late 1960s to mitigate impacts on fish migration resulting from the construction of Oroville Dam which prevented access to spawning grounds further upstream. Daily visiting hours at the facility are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

FUEL LOAD MANAGEMENT
​DWR continues vegetation management activities around the Oroville area to remove overgrown vegetation and create a more wildfire resilient landscape. Over the next few months you may see crews working in various areas including Loafer Creek, Canyon Drive, along Oro Dam Blvd. East, and the Feather River Fish Hatchery. CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, California Conservation Corps (CCC), and crews from the Butte Fire Center continue to cut, pile, chip, and pile burn as weather allows. Vegetation management activities will continue through the winter, weather permitting. Smoke from pile burning activities will continue to be visible in the Oroville area.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) works to reduce wildfire risk and increase public safety around Lake Oroville. Previous FLMP projects in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area have been identified as contributing to the slowing of the 2020 North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line, and preventing the fire from progressing. Ongoing management of the FLMP remains a high priority for DWR and local partners.

OROVILLE RECREATION 
The Lake Oroville Visitor Center is open to the public Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pick up the Lake Oroville Trails Map, which shows more than 92 miles of trails available to equestrians, bicyclists, and hikers, at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area kiosks, the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce, or the Feather River Recreation and Parks District.
An interactive map of recreation facilities and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi) is available on DWR’s interactive Lake Oroville Recreation webpage.

CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS
​Oroville’s reservoir is about 684 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.14 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 32 percent of its total capacity and 62 percent of the historical average. A series of storms will deliver rain to the valley and snow to the Sierra through the New Year weekend and into next week, further bolstering lake levels.  
The Feather River releases are currently at 950 cubic feet per second (cfs). Flows through the City of Oroville are 650 cfs with 300 cfs released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 950 cfs downstream of the Outlet. DWR continues to assess releases to the Feather River 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 12/29/2022.​

Fish Hatchery Increasing Fall-Run Chinook Salmon Production
​The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will increase the Feather River Fish Hatchery’s production of fall-run Chinook salmon in 2023 to approximately 9.5 million fish to combat the impacts of drought and a thiamine deficiency affecting natural spawning and in-river production.
The hatchery, owned by DWR and operated by CDFW, is seeking to produce approximately 8 million fall-run Chinook salmon smolts and 1.5 million fall-run Chinook salmon fingerlings in 2023 – a 3.5 million increase over typical production goals.
Two million of the additional salmon smolts produced will be trucked to release sites in the San Pablo and San Francisco bays to maximize survival. Another 1.5 million of these additional fish will be released into the Feather River earlier in the season and at a smaller size than typical river releases. This is an experimental effort to take advantage of more favorable weather and river conditions in early spring. 
For more information about increased fall-run Chinook Salmon production, read CDFW’s press release.

Paved Boat Ramp Reopens
​Thanks to recent rain showers in the valley and feet of snowfall in the Sierra mountains, water levels at Lake Oroville have risen enough to reopen the Bidwell Canyon concrete boat ramp. With Bidwell Canyon reopened, the gravel spillway ramp is now closed.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) has provided a floating dock for users at the ramp along with portable restroom facilities. Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas are open from 8 a.m. until sundown with shuttle service and boat rentals available. Paved boat ramps are also available at the Thermalito Afterbay and the Thermalito South Forebay.

HUNTING AT OROVILLE WILDLIFE AREA
​With approximately 11,800-acres of forested upland and riparian habitat along the Feather River and around the Thermalito Afterbay, the Oroville Wildlife Area is open for hunting with most hunters pursuing waterfowl at the Afterbay. Some interior ponds have also filled with enough water to permit duck hunting, while upland hunters have had success harvesting quail, squirrels, and rabbits this time of year. 
In the spring, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will draw permits for special turkey hunt opportunities including the Junior Hunt weekend, and the first, third, and fifth weekends and Wednesdays of the spring season. Turkey hunting is not permitted in the fall at the Oroville Wildlife Area.
Oroville Wildlife Area 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. 

WINTER OUTLOOK
​Even with the Northern Sierra snowpack measuring 180 percent of normal as of Dec. 15, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is reminding the public of ongoing drought conditions throughout California.
As the state enters its fourth year of drought, California Water Watch shows most of the state is still in moderate, severe, or extreme drought conditions, and the state’s groundwater basins and environments are still stressed from years of severely dry conditions. While early season precipitation totals may be cause for cautious optimism, last year’s above average December was followed by historic dry conditions January through March. This early in the winter, California must proceed with caution and continue to embrace solutions proposed in the Newsom Administration’s Water Supply Strategy for Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a La Niña winter with dry conditions in Southern California and equal chances of wet or dry conditions in central and northern parts of the state. Early snow totals are only helpful if they translate into runoff into the state's streams, rivers, and reservoirs, particularly in the spring and summer months.
DWR is investing in several new tools to both predict and capture runoff, such as investing in additional Airborne Snow Observatory flights and improving runoff forecasting abilities with more sophisticated data collection. While the winter season has started positively, the most important measurement of the year will be April 1, when the snowpack is typically at its highest. You can track precipitation and snowpack data on the California Data Exchange Center website.

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT CONTINUES IN OROVILLE AREA
​DWR continues vegetation management and debris cleanup activities around the Feather River Fish Hatchery to remove overgrown ladder fuels and create a more wildfire resilient landscape. In addition, CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, and the California Conservation Corps (CCC) Butte Fire Center continue pile burning activities in the Loafer Creek area and along Oro Dam Boulevard East near the Hyatt Powerplant. Over the next couple weeks, the CCC Chico crew will be cutting and piling material along Canyon Drive to reduce overgrown vegetation near the community of Kelly Ridge.
Vegetation management activities will continue through the winter, weather permitting. Smoke from pile burning activities will continue to be visible in the Oroville area.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) works to reduce wildfire risk and increase public safety around Lake Oroville. Previous FLMP projects in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area have been identified as contributing to the slowing of the 2020 North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line, and preventing the fire from progressing. Ongoing management of this critical area remains a high priority for DWR and local partners.

OROVILLE RECREATION 
The Bidwell Complex, located along the southern shore of Lake Oroville east of the Oroville Dam, is one of the major attractions in the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. It’s a popular fishing and day use area as well as a base for many boaters. The location has drinking water; eight flush toilets (two are ADA accessible); a grey water sump; boat ramps at high, medium, and low reservoir levels; a telephone; a visitor information station; a full-service marina; and a fish cleaning station.
Bidwell Canyon Campground has 75 campsites for either tents or RVs, all with full hookups. Two flush restrooms, piped water, six showers, shade trees, and fire rings with grills are available. Nearby hiking trails include the 4.9-mile Bidwell Canyon Trail and the Wyk Island Trail.
The Lake Oroville Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers visitors numerous educational exhibits, a theater featuring videos about the building of Oroville Dam, walking and hiking trails, and a 47-foot-tall observation tower providing unsurpassed panoramic views of Lake Oroville, the valley, the foothills and Sierra Nevada, and the Sutter Buttes, known as the smallest mountain range in the world.
DWR and State Parks maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. Trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), day use areas, boat ramps, and other recreation facilities are featured on DWR’s interactive Lake Oroville Recreation webpage.

CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS
​Oroville’s reservoir is about 669 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.03 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 29 percent of its total capacity and 57 percent of the historical average. Temperatures for the coming week will vary between the mid-50s and low-60s, with a slight dip into the 40s possible this Monday.
The Feather River releases are currently at 950 cubic feet per second (cfs). Flows through the City of Oroville are 650 cfs with 300 cfs released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 950 cfs downstream of the Outlet. DWR continues to assess releases to the Feather River 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 12/15/2022. ​

​Winter Outlook
Even with the Northern Sierra snowpack measuring 147 percent of normal as of Dec. 8, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is reminding the public of ongoing drought conditions throughout California.
As the state enters its fourth year of drought, California Water Watch shows most of the state is still in moderate, severe, or extreme drought conditions, and the state’s groundwater basins and environments are still stressed from years of severely dry conditions. While early season precipitation totals may be cause for cautious optimism, last year’s above average December was followed by historic dry conditions January through March. This early in the winter, California must proceed with caution and continue to embrace solutions proposed in the administration’s Water Supply Strategy for Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a La Niña winter with dry conditions in Southern California and equal chances of wet or dry conditions in central and northern parts of the state. Early snow totals are only helpful if they translate into runoff into the state's streams, rivers, and reservoirs, particularly in the spring and summer months.
DWR is investing in several new tools to both predict and capture runoff, such as investing in additional Airborne Snow Observatory flights and improving runoff forecasting abilities with more sophisticated data collection. While the winter season has started positively, the most important measurement of the year will be April 1, when the snowpack is typically at its highest. You can track precipitation and snowpack data on the California Data Exchange Center website.

Lakeside Road Closure 
​The Spillway Day Use Area will be closed to vehicles Tuesday, Dec. 13 and Wednesday, Dec. 14 for utility work along Lakeside Access Road. The gravel spillway ramp will not be affected by the closure and will remain open for use. Trail access to Potters Ravine is available to users from the Dam Crest parking lot by crossing the Spillway road segment that serves as part of the Brad Freeman Bike Trail. This section is open to pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians.

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT CONTINUES IN OROVILLE AREA
​DWR began vegetation management and debris cleanup activities around the Feather River Fish Hatchery to remove overgrown ladder fuels and create a more wildfire resilient landscape. In addition, CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, Butte County Sheriff, Plumas National Forest, and DWR continue pile burning activities in the Loafer Creek area and along Oro Dam Boulevard East near the Hyatt Powerplant. Vegetation management activities will continue through the winter, weather permitting.
Some intermittent trail closures in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area may occur. Trail users are advised to be “safety-aware” and are required to obey posted trail closure signage. Smoke from vegetation removal work has been, and may continue to be, visible in the Oroville area.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) works to reduce wildfire risk and increase public safety around Lake Oroville. Previous FLMP projects in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area have been identified as contributing to the slowing of the 2020 North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line and preventing the fire from progressing. Ongoing management of this critical area remains a high priority for the FLMP.

DWR ISSUES STATE WATER PROJECT ALLOCATIONS
​DWR issued State Water Project allocations last week amounting to 5 percent of requested supplies for 2023. Existing storage in Lake Oroville is being conserved in the event dry conditions continue. The initial 5 percent allocation would be met by flows from winter storms entering the Delta as well as stored water in San Luis Reservoir.
“This early in California’s traditional wet season, water allocations are typically low due to uncertainty in hydrologic forecasting. But the degree to which hotter and drier conditions are reducing runoff into rivers, streams and reservoirs means we have to be prepared for all possible outcomes,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth.
Each year, DWR provides the initial State Water Project allocation by December 1 based on available water storage, projected water supply, and water demands. Allocations are updated monthly as snowpack and runoff information is assessed, with a final allocation typically determined in May or June. Read the full news release on the DWR News webpage.

OROVILLE RECREATION 
Paved boat ramps at Lake Oroville remain temporarily closed due to low lake levels stemming from ongoing drought. DWR and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) have provided a gravel launch ramp near the Spillway Boat Ramp until the lake level rises. This gravel launch ramp is open 24-hours a day and may be accessed from the Lakeside Access Road between Oroville Dam and the Spillway Day Use Area and Boat Launch. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are highly recommended – please use at your own risk.
The temporary launch ramp is gravel on dirt which becomes slippery when wet, especially during times of heavy usage. To maintain the integrity of the steep ramp, drivers are encouraged to avoid tire spin by engaging vehicles in 4-wheel drive and accelerating slowly when exiting the ramp, with or without a loaded trailer.
Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas remain open from 8 a.m. until sundown with shuttle service and boat rentals available. Paved boat ramps continue to be available at the Thermalito Afterbay and the Thermalito South Forebay. With continued rising lake levels, the paved Bidwell Canyon III ramp is expected to reopen the week of Dec. 13 with a boarding dock available for users. 
The Lake Oroville Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers visitors numerous educational exhibits, a theater featuring videos about the building of Oroville Dam, walking and hiking trails, and a 47-foot-tall observation tower providing unsurpassed panoramic views of Lake Oroville, the valley, the foothills and Sierra Nevada, and the Sutter Buttes, known as the smallest mountain range in the world.
DWR and State Parks maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. Trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), day use areas, boat ramps, and other recreation facilities are featured on DWR’s interactive Lake Oroville Recreation webpage.

CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS
​Oroville’s reservoir is about 662 feet elevation and storage is approximately 985,000 acre-feet (AF), which is 28 percent of its total capacity and 55 percent of the historical average. Rain is again anticipated over the weekend and into early next week with temperatures in the high-40s to low-50s. Weekend rain totals of 2 to 3 inches and wind gusts of 40-45 mph are possible for valley areas.
The Feather River releases are currently at 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and will be reduced to 950 cfs Saturday, Dec. 10. Flows through the City of Oroville are 650 cfs with 300 cfs released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 950 cfs downstream of the Outlet. DWR continues to assess releases to the Feather River 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 12/8/2022​

Lake Oroville Boat Ramp
​The Bidwell Canyon Stage III Boat Ramp is now closed due to low lake levels. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has opened the gravel boat ramp at the Spillway. This ramp may be accessed from the Lakeside Access Road between Oroville Dam and the Spillway Day Use Area and Boat Launch. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are highly recommended – please use at your own risk.  
The auxiliary ramp is gravel on dirt which becomes slippery when wet, especially during times of heavy usage. To maintain the integrity of the steep ramp, drivers are encouraged to avoid tire spin by engaging vehicles in 4-wheel drive and accelerating slowly when exiting the ramp, with or without a loaded trailer.
The Spillway gravel boat ramp is open 24-hours a day. Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas remain open from 8 a.m. until sundown with shuttle service and boat rentals available.

FEATHER RIVER FISH HATCHERY
​Chinook salmon spawning operations have successfully concluded at the Feather River Fish Hatchery. The hatchery collected 9.5 million fall-run, 2.4 million spring-run, and 126,000 inland Lake Oroville Chinook salmon eyed eggs this year. The hatchery’s spawning process collects eggs from female fish and milt (sperm) from male fish to fertilize the eggs. After fertilization, the eggs are placed in incubators to develop and approximately 30-days post fertilization, the healthy eggs develop eyes (eyed egg).
After the young salmon further develop in the incubators and reach the “fry” stage, they are transferred to long ponds filled with Feather River water called “raceways” to grow until they are large enough to be returned to the river or planted in locations further downstream to avoid predators. Planting operations for Chinook will occur March through June.
The Feather River Fish Hatchery is a California State Water Project (SWP) facility owned and maintained by DWR, which funds hatchery operations. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) operates the hatchery, including fish spawning, rearing, and stocking activities.
DWR built the fish hatchery to mitigate the impact of the Oroville Dam on Chinook salmon and steelhead populations because the dam blocks access to natural spawning grounds further upstream.

CONTROL BURN AT LOAFER CREEK      
​CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, Plumas National Forest, DWR and California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) are continuing control burn activities in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area near Lake Oroville. The goal of the control burn is to remove overgrown ladder fuels and dead and dying vegetation and minimize ground fuels to create a more wildfire resistant landscape.
Multiple burn areas were planned beginning Thursday, Nov. 17 and possibly continuing through the week of Nov. 21, depending on weather and incident activity in Butte County. Some intermittent trail closures in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area may occur. Trail users are advised to be “safety-aware” and obey posted trail closure signage. Smoke from the activity has been, and may continue to be, visible in the Oroville area.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) works to reduce wildfire risk and increase public safety around Lake Oroville. Previous FLMP projects in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area have been identified as contributing to the slowing of the 2020 North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line and preventing the fire from progressing. Ongoing management of this critical area remains a high priority for the FLMP.

OROVILLE RECREATION 
Boaters are reminded that power boats are allowed on the Thermalito South Forebay as well as the Thermalito Afterbay. A 5-mph speed limit for all boats is in effect on the Afterbay north of the Highway 162 bridge and near the brood ponds on the east side of the reservoir, with regular boating rules in effect south of the Highway 162 bridge. No motorized boating is allowed in the Thermalito North Forebay.
The Monument Hill facility at Thermalito Afterbay provides boat ramp access, restrooms, a picnic area, and beach. The Thermalito South Forebay facility has a two-lane boat ramp, parking, restroom, picnic tables, BBQs, shade trees, and a fish cleaning station.
The Lake Oroville Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Thanksgiving Day) and offers visitors numerous educational exhibits, a theater featuring videos about the building of Oroville Dam, walking and hiking trails, and a 47-foot-tall observation tower providing unsurpassed panoramic views of Lake Oroville, the valley, the foothills and Sierra Nevada, and the Sutter Buttes, known as the smallest mountain range in the world.
DWR and State Parks maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. Trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), day use areas, boat ramps, and other recreation facilities are featured on DWR’s interactive Lake Oroville Recreation webpage.
The Feather River Fish Hatchery is open daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the Fish Barrier Dam Overlook area and underwater viewing window open sunrise to sunset.

CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS
​Oroville’s reservoir is about 665 feet elevation and storage is about 1.07 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 28 percent of its total capacity and 57 percent of the historical average. Temperatures are forecasted in the upper-50s to low-to-mid-60s over the weekend and into next week with a slight chance of showers early in the week.
The Feather River releases are currently at 1,600 cubic feet per second (cfs) and meet the downstream Delta water quality and outflow needs. Flows through the City of Oroville are 650 cfs with 950 cfs released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 1,600 cfs downstream of the Outlet. DWR continues to assess releases to the Feather River 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 11/17/2022

DWR wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
The Lake Oroville Community Update will return on December 2, 2022.​

​Water Quality Monitoring Underway
​The Department of Water Resources (DWR) recently installed water quality monitoring devices called sondes in Lake Oroville and the Thermalito Diversion Pool. Sondes measure the water’s temperature, pH (acidic or basic level of hydrogen), dissolved oxygen (oxygen levels available to aquatic organisms), and turbidity (the clarity of water). Sonde data is collected around the clock every 15 minutes and is analyzed by the Water Quality Section of DWR’s Northern Region office. The monitoring devices are expected to remain in place until the runoff season ends, which is typically around May or June.
Routine water quality monitoring occurs on a monthly basis in Lake Oroville including three locations in the forks of the Feather River added to monitor runoff from burn scar areas in the Feather River watershed. In 2020, the multi-agency “Watershed Working Group”, led by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), implemented targeted monitoring of rivers, lakes, and other surface waters in the North Complex and Dixie fire burn areas and downstream. The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and DWR collect and test water samples for analysis.

STATE WATER PROJECT CAPABILITY REPORT
The DWR released the State Water Project Delivery Capability Report 2021, which is generated every two years for the State Water Project’s (SWP) 29 water agencies for water supply planning.
With California entering a possible fourth dry year, the report will help water managers better understand how key factors like climate change and regulatory and operational considerations affect the operation of the SWP under historical and future scenarios. The report includes estimates on the SWP’s water delivery capability for current and future conditions based on three major factors:

• The effects of population growth on California’s balance of water supply and demand
• State legislation intended to help maintain a reliable water supply
• Impact of potential climate change-driven shifts in hydrologic conditions

As California experiences a rapidly changing climate, the next report in 2023 will expand on the potential impacts of a shift to a hotter, drier future. This new modeling will be critical to helping SWP water supplier prepare for ongoing impacts to our water supply from climate change. The report is available on DWR’s Library Modeling and Analysis webpage.

DWR OFFERS GRANT PROGRAMS
DWR is accepting applications for $510 million in financial assistance to support water supply reliability, yard transformation, and migratory birds as California continues to be impacted by climate change and several years of drought conditions. “California is moving aggressively to transform the way we use and manage water so we can thrive in a hotter, drier future,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Newsom and the State Legislature, we are deploying much-needed funding to support communities, farmers, and wildlife as we stretch existing supplies and build climate resilience.”
The different grant programs target communities that rely on groundwater, farmers willing to support water conservation in the Delta and aid migratory birds, and an Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program to help large organizations, water agencies, and communities build resilience, replace thirsty lawns with California native landscaping, and promote water conservation. Information on who is eligible and how to apply before respective deadlines is available on DWR’s News Releases webpage.

​OROVILLE RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee met on Nov. 4 at the Southside Community Center in Oroville. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recommendations regarding DWR’s recreation plan for the Project No. 2100 – Oroville Facilities. The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government, sports and recreation groups, and business and community organizations. To obtain a summary of the meeting, send a request to oroville@water.ca.gov​

OROVILLE RECREATION 
The Lake Oroville Visitors Center is open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers visitors numerous educational exhibits, a theater featuring videos about the building of Oroville Dam, walking and hiking trails, and a 47-foot-tall observation tower providing unsurpassed panoramic views of Lake Oroville, the valley, the foothills and Sierra Nevada, and the Sutter Buttes, known as the smallest mountain range in the world.
DWR and State Parks maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area, including those around the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. There are paved, accessible trails with only slight elevation changes by the Visitor Center and the North Forebay Day Use Area. Other trails, such as the Brad Freeman Trail between the Spillway Day Use Area and the Diversion Pool, offer steep elevation changes to challenge hikers and mountain bikers. The Saddle Dam Trailhead has facilities for equestrians, including a large parking area to accommodate horse trailers, water trough, and hitching posts, and easy access to trails designated for hikers and horses.
Trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), day use areas, boat ramps, and other recreation facilities are featured on DWR’s interactive map on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage at https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Lake-Oroville-Recreation.
The Bidwell Canyon Stage III boat ramp remains open for boating and for fishing enthusiasts who are finding success at Lake Oroville. The Feather River Fish Hatchery continues to perform spawning, rearing, and stocking activities and is open daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Fish Barrier Dam Overlook area and underwater viewing window is open sunrise to sunset.

​CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS
Oroville’s reservoir is about 671 feet elevation and storage is about 1.05 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 30 percent of its total capacity and 59 percent of the historical average. Temperatures are forecasted in the upper-50s to low-to-mid-60s over the weekend and into next week.
The Feather River releases are currently at 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and continue to meet downstream Delta water quality and outflow needs. Flows through the City of Oroville are 650 cfs with 1,350 cfs released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 2,000 cfs downstream of the Outlet. DWR continues to assess releases to the Feather River daily.
The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels, and more at the California Data Exchange Center at www.cdec.water.ca.gov. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO”.
All data as of midnight 11/9/2022

State Water Project Capability Report
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) released the State Water Project Delivery Capability Report 2021, which is generated every two years for the State Water Project’s (SWP) 29 water agencies for water supply planning.
With California entering a possible fourth dry year, the report will help water managers better understand how key factors like climate change and regulatory and operational considerations affect the operation of the SWP under historical and future scenarios. The report includes estimates on the SWP’s water delivery capability for current and future conditions based on three major factors:

• The effects of population growth on California’s balance of water supply and demand
• State legislation intended to help maintain a reliable water supply
• Impact of potential climate change-driven shifts in hydrologic conditions

As California experiences a rapidly changing climate, the next report in 2023 will expand on the potential impacts of a shift to a hotter, drier future. This new modeling will be critical to helping SWP water supplier prepare for ongoing impacts to our water supply from climate change. The report is available on the DWR website’s Library Modeling and Analysis webpage.

DWR Offers Grant Programs
DWR is accepting applications for $510 million in financial assistance to support water supply reliability, yard transformation, and migratory birds as California continues to be impacted by climate change and several years of drought conditions. “California is moving aggressively to transform the way we use and manage water so we can thrive in a hotter, drier future,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Newsom and the State Legislature, we are deploying much-needed funding to support communities, farmers, and wildlife as we stretch existing supplies and build climate resilience.”
The different grant programs target communities that rely on groundwater, farmers willing to support water conservation in the Delta and aid migratory birds, and an Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program to help large organizations, water agencies, and communities build resilience, replace thirsty lawns with California native landscaping, and promote water conservation. Information on who is eligible and how to apply before respective deadlines is available on the DWR website’s News Releases webpage.

Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee
​The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee met today, Nov. 4 at the Southside Community Center in Oroville. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recommendations regarding DWR’s recreation plan for the Project No. 2100 – Oroville Facilities. The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government, sports and recreation groups, and business and community organizations. To obtain a summary of the meeting, send a request to oroville@water.ca.gov​

CONTROL BURN AT LOAFER CREEK     
​CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, Plumas National Forest, and partners Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) have completed control burn activities in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area near Lake Oroville. The control burn removed overgrown ladder fuels and dead and dying vegetation and minimized ground fuels to create a more wildfire resistant landscape. A total of 169 acres were treated.
Fuels reduction activities in the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area and in the Oroville-Thermalito Complex’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) boundary are ramping up for the season and will continue through Spring 2023 as weather conditions permit and crews from CAL FIRE, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Conservation Corps are available.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) works to reduce wildfire risk and increase public safety around Lake Oroville. Previous FLMP projects in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area have been identified as contributing to the slowing of the 2020 North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line, and preventing the fire from progressing. Ongoing management of this critical area remains a high priority for the FLMP.

OROVILLE RECREATION 
The Loafer Point Stage II boat ramp has closed due to falling lake levels. The Bidwell Canyon Stage III boat ramp remains open for boating and for fishing enthusiasts who are finding success at Lake Oroville.
The Feather River Fish Hatchery continues to perform spawning, rearing, and stocking activities and is open daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Fish Barrier Dam Overlook area and underwater viewing window is open sunrise to sunset.
The Lake Oroville Visitors Center is open Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers visitors numerous educational exhibits, a theater featuring videos about the building of Oroville Dam, walking and hiking trails, and a 47-foot-tall observation tower providing unsurpassed panoramic views of Lake Oroville, the valley, the foothills and Sierra Nevada, and the Sutter Buttes, known as the smallest mountain range in the world.
DWR and State Parks maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area, including those around the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. There are paved, accessible trails with only slight elevation changes by the Visitor Center and the North Forebay Day Use Area. Other trails, such as the Brad Freeman Trail between the Spillway Day Use Area and the Diversion Pool, offer steep elevation changes to challenge hikers and mountain bikers. The Saddle Dam Trailhead has facilities for equestrians, including a large parking area to accommodate horse trailers, water trough, and hitching posts, and easy access to trails designated for hikers and horses.
Trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), day use areas, boat ramps, and other recreation facilities are featured on DWR’s interactive map on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage at https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Lake-Oroville-Recreation.

CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS
​The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 676 feet elevation and storage is about 1.08 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 31 percent of its total capacity and 60 percent of historical average. Cooler temperatures in the low-50s to low-60s are forecast for the weekend with a winter storm arriving Sunday through Tuesday and occasional rain showers expected the rest of the week.
The Feather River releases are currently at 2,400 cubic feet per second (cfs) and continue to meet downstream Delta water quality and outflow needs. Flows through the City of Oroville are 650 cfs with 1,750 cfs released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 2,400 cfs downstream of the Outlet. DWR continues to assess releases to the Feather River daily.
The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels, and more at the California Data Exchange Center at www.cdec.water.ca.gov. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO”.
All data as of midnight 11/3/2022

November 1, 2022

Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee
The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) will meet on Friday, Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. at the Southside Oroville Community Center on 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road in Oroville. Presentations by the state Departments of Water Resources, Parks and Recreation, and Fish and Wildlife, as well as the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce will be provided.
ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recommendations regarding DWR’s recreation plan for the FERC Project No. 2100 Oroville Facilities. 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.

October 28, 2022

Control Burn at Loafer Creek
CAL FIRE, Butte County Fire Department, Plumas National Forest, and partners Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) will be continuing their planned control burn on over 200 acres in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area near Lake Oroville. The goal of the control burn is to remove overgrown ladder fuels and dead and dying vegetation and minimize ground fuels to create a more wildfire resistant landscape.
Around 116 acres have been treated as of Thursday night and over 95 acres are being targeted in the southwest portion of Loafer Creek. Multiple burn areas are planned beginning Monday, Oct. 31 and through the week, causing some intermittent trail closures in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area. Trail users are advised to be “safety-aware” and obey posted trail closure signage.
Control burn activities will take place depending on weather and incident activity in Butte County. Smoke from the activity has been, and may continue to be, visible in the Oroville area.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) works to reduce wildfire risk and increase public safety around Lake Oroville. Previous FLMP projects in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area have been identified as contributing to the slowing of the 2020 North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line, and preventing the fire from progressing. Ongoing management of this critical area remains a high priority for the FLMP.

OROVILLE RADIAL GATES PROJECT  
​DWR and contractor staff successfully reinstalled the gate hoist assembly on Gate #8 at Oroville Dam’s Flood Control Outlet (FCO), or main spillway which will be available and fully operational throughout the flood season. The work was part of a multi-year project to perform maintenance repairs on the eight radial gate hoist assemblies of the FCO as part of the Oroville Radial Gates Maintenance Repair Project.
Unico will now begin work on the design and fabrication of a replica hoist that will be installed while subsequent hoists are removed for inspection and full maintenance repairs to address any deficiencies due to wear, age, and serviceability of the equipment. The design and fabrication phase of the project is anticipated to be completed by May 2023.
Occurring yearly beginning in 2023, maintenance repairs will be performed on one gate hoist assembly per year during the dry season (May 1 to Oct. 31) using the spare hoist assembly. The project is anticipated to be fully completed for all eight radial gates in 2030.

FLOOD PREPAREDNESS WEEK
More than seven million California residents are at risk of flooding, and many don’t realize it. Flooding happens throughout the state; every California county has received a flood-related emergency declaration in the past 20 years and flood events during and after drought conditions are not uncommon.
Make sure you are prepared for flood events through these three steps:

• Be aware of your risk: Know whether your home is in a flood zone; pay attention to weather forecasts; and listen to local authorities.
• Be prepared: Always have an emergency evacuation kit ready; be prepared to evacuate early; have a household inventory with copies of critical documents; and have a plan for where you will go in an emergency and what to do with your pets.
• Take action: Evacuate immediately when advised to. Also, homeowners’ insurance does not cover damage due to flooding; consider purchasing flood insurance.

Even in drought conditions, climate change is resulting in extreme variations of weather, including large storm events which increase risk of flooding, particularly in areas damaged by wildfire. Wildfires dramatically change the landscape and ground conditions in a watershed. Natural, unburned vegetation and soil normally act as a sponge during a rainfall event. However, the heat from a fire can bake the ground, creating a surface that will not absorb water and can increase the speed with which water flows off the slope, leading to damaging, and sometimes catastrophic, mud and debris flows. These conditions can be present for years after a wildfire. Visit DWR’s Flood Preparedness webpage for information about keeping you, your loved ones, and community safe.

​OROVILLE DAM CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION
The California Natural Resources Agency hosted the 12th Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting Oct. 21 at Southside Community Center in Oroville. In addition to public comment, presentations on inundation maps and new atmospheric river research, and an update on Oroville Dam facility winter operations, the Commission also announced it is collecting comments on the draft 3-year report of the Commission’s activities. Visit the Commission’s report webpage at https://resources.ca.gov/Initiatives/Oroville-Dam-Citizens-Advisory-Commission/Oroville-Dam-Citizens-Advisory-Commission-Report for details.
The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum for questions and feedback from the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. For information on the meeting, please visit https://bit.ly/OrovilleCAC. A transcript of the meeting will be available on this webpage in the coming weeks.

OROVILLE RECREATION 
The Loafer Point Stage II boat ramp is expected to close the week of Oct. 31 due to falling lake levels. The Bidwell Canyon Stage III boat ramp remains open for boating and for fishing enthusiasts who are finding success at Lake Oroville.
The Feather River Fish Hatchery continues to perform spawning, rearing, and stocking activities and is open daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Fish Barrier Dam Overlook area and underwater viewing window is open sunrise to sunset.
DWR and State Parks maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area, including around the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. Paved trails there and at the North Forebay Day Use Area offer accessible trails with only slight elevation changes. Other trails, such as the Brad Freeman Trail between the Spillway Day Use Area and the Diversion Pool, offer trails with steep elevation changes to challenge hikers and mountain bikers. The Saddle Dam Trailhead has facilities for equestrians, including a large parking area to accommodate horse trailers, water trough, and hitching posts, and easy access to trails designated for hikers and horses.
Trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), day use areas, boat ramps, and other recreation facilities are featured on DWR’s interactive map on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage at https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Lake-Oroville-Recreation.

CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS
​The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 682 feet elevation and storage is about 1.12 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 32 percent of its total capacity and 62 percent of historical average. Warmer temperatures are forecast for the weekend, cooling down next week with temperatures dropping into the low-to-upper-60s.
The Feather River releases are currently at 2,400 cubic feet per second (cfs) and continue to meet downstream Delta water quality and outflow needs. Flows through the City of Oroville are 650 cfs with 1,750 cfs released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 2,400 cfs downstream of the Outlet. DWR continues to assess releases to the Feather River daily.
The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels, and more at the California Data Exchange Center at www.cdec.water.ca.gov. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO”.
All data as of midnight 10/27/2022

October 21, 2022

Flood Preparedness Week
More than seven million California residents are at risk of flooding, and many don’t realize it. Flooding happens throughout the state; every California county has received a flood-related emergency declaration in the past 20 years and flood events during and after drought conditions are not uncommon.
Make sure you are prepared for flood events through these three steps:

• Be aware of your risk: Know whether your home is in a flood zone; pay attention to weather forecasts; and listen to local authorities.
• Be prepared: Always have an emergency evacuation kit ready; be prepared to evacuate early; have a household inventory with copies of critical documents; and have a plan for where you will go in an emergency and what to do with your pets.
• Take action: Evacuate immediately when advised to. Also, homeowners’ insurance does not cover damage due to flooding; consider purchasing flood insurance.

Even in drought conditions, climate change is resulting in extreme variations of weather, including large storm events which increase risk of flooding, particularly in areas damaged by wildfire. Wildfires dramatically change the landscape and ground conditions in a watershed. Natural, unburned vegetation and soil normally act as a sponge during a rainfall event. However, the heat from a fire can bake the ground, creating a surface that will not absorb water and can increase the speed with which water flows off the slope, leading to damaging, and sometimes catastrophic, mud and debris flows. These conditions can be present for years after a wildfire. Visit DWR’s Flood Preparedness webpage for information about keeping you, your loved ones, and community safe.

Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission
The California Natural Resources Agency hosted its 12th Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Oct. 21. The public meeting was held at the Southside Oroville Community Center in Oroville and included a brief update on the development of a report on the Commission’s activities, presentations on inundation maps and new atmospheric river research, and an update on Oroville Dam facility winter operations. Public comments were also provided. Comments are also being collected on the draft 3-year report of the Commission’s activities. Please visit the Commission’s report webpage for details.
The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum for questions and feedback from the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. For information on the meeting, please visit https://bit.ly/OrovilleCAC. A transcript of the meeting will be available on this webpage in the coming weeks.

Volunteer Opportunities Available
​California Climate Action Corps - Community Climate Action Day is taking place on October 29, 2022, in Butte County. This event and celebration is hosted by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, Community Organized Relief Effort, and Butte County community organizations. More than 100 volunteers will support projects throughout the county focused on urban greening, wildfire resiliency, and organic waste and edible food recovery.
California Climate Action Corps ”Community Climate Action Day” provides a great opportunity for persons to serve with other volunteers and get connected with organizations engaged in climate action work year-round.  Sign up for a volunteer opportunity today!

OROVILLE RADIAL GATES PROJECT
​DWR and contractor staff are continuing work on the multi-year project to perform maintenance repairs on the eight radial gate hoist assemblies of Oroville Dam’s Flood Control Outlet (FCO), or main spillway, as part of the Oroville Radial Gates Maintenance Repair Project.
In August, contractor Unico removed the gate hoist assembly located above FCO radial gate #8 for inspection, routine maintenance, and reverse engineering to develop design and fabrication drawings for a replica hoist. Work to reinstall the gate hoist assembly began on Oct. 17 so it will be available and fully operational throughout the flood season. This work is anticipated to be accomplished by Oct. 31. Crane operations from the Spillway bridge may be visible to the public.
After hoist #8 is re-installed by Unico, Unico will begin work on the design and fabrication of a replica hoist that will be installed while subsequent hoists are removed for inspection and full maintenance repairs to address any deficiencies due to wear, age, and serviceability of the equipment. The design and fabrication phase of the project is anticipated to be completed by May 2023.
Occurring yearly beginning in 2023, maintenance repairs will be performed on one gate hoist assembly per year during the dry season (May 1 to Oct. 31) using the spare hoist assembly. The project is anticipated to be fully completed for all eight radial gates in 2030.

CONTROL BURN AT LOAFER CREEK     
​CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department and partners DWR and California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) postponed the planned control burn on 163 acres in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area near Lake Oroville. The CAL FIRE Vegetation Management Project’s work to remove overgrown ladder fuels and dead and dying vegetation has been rescheduled for the week of Oct. 24 depending on weather and incident activity in Butte County. Smoke from the activity may be visible around the Oroville area.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Program’s (FLMP) partnership with CAL FIRE and other organizations works to reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest and watershed health around Lake Oroville. Previous FLMP partnership projects in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area have been identified as contributing to the slowing of the 2020 North Complex Fire as it approached Kelly Ridge, increasing firefighters’ ability to establish a secure fire line and preventing the fire from spreading forward. Ongoing management of this critical area remains a high priority for the FLMP partnership.

OROVILLE RECREATION 
​DWR and State Parks maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. Popular with mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians, trails near the Thermalito Diversion Pool can be accessed from Cherokee Road and offer ample opportunity for viewing the local wildlife. Trails along the south side of the Diversion Pool can be accessed from the new trail access parking lot west of the South Feather Powerhouse and accessible from Hyatt Powerplant Road.
Trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), day use areas, boat ramps, and other recreation facilities are featured on DWR’s interactive map on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage.  
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) staff at the Feather River Fish Hatchery continue to perform spawning, rearing, and stocking activities for the Chinook salmon returning to the Feather River to finish their life cycle and start a new one. The hatchery is open daily 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. where visitors can watch spawning operations when CDFW staff are working. The Fish Barrier Dam Overlook area and underwater viewing window is open sunrise to sunset.
The Loafer Point Stage II and Bidwell Canyon Stage III ramps continue to be open. The Spillway boat ramp and the Lime Saddle boat ramp are closed for the season and will re-open when lake levels rise again from upcoming fall and winter precipitation. Shuttle service to moored boats is available at the Lime Saddle Marina from 8:30 am. to 4 p.m. The Bidwell Canyon Marina will also be open from 8:30 am. to 8 p.m. with shuttle service available during that time.
The Lake Oroville Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CURRENT LAKE OPERATIONS
The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 686 feet elevation and storage is about 1.15 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 33 percent of its total capacity and 63 percent of historical average. A fall cool-down is forecasted for the weekend and into next week with temperatures dropping into the low-to-upper-70s.
The Feather River releases are currently at 2,400 cubic feet per second (cfs) and continue to meet downstream Delta water quality and outflow needs. Flows through the City of Oroville are 650 cfs with 1,750 cfs released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) for a total of 2,400 cfs downstream of the Outlet. DWR continues to assess releases to the Feather River daily.
The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels, and more at the California Data Exchange Center at www.cdec.water.ca.gov. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO”.
All data as of midnight 10/20/2022