As California moves into the drier summer season, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has begun scaling back water releases from Lake Oroville, shifting from flood control to water conservation mode. During winter and early spring, DWR performs flood control releases to protect the City of Oroville and downstream communities by creating space in the reservoir for storm inflows. Now, with the risk of major storms decreasing, the priority is to conserve as much water as possible for the dry months ahead. As of this week, Lake Oroville sits at 891 feet in elevation, which is 97% of total capacity. Current releases into the Feather River have been reduced to 2,300 cubic feet per second, with adjustments made regularly in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other water agencies. Lake Oroville plays a critical role in the State Water Project, supporting water delivery for 27 million Californians, sustaining fish and wildlife, and helping maintain Delta water quality. Water released from the lake supports local agriculture, replenishes the Central Valley, and eventually supplies Southern California. DWR continues to monitor snowpack levels, weather forecasts, and reservoir inflows to strike a balance between storage needs, environmental requirements, and long-term water supply planning. With another wet winter behind us, Lake Oroville is once again proving to be one of the state’s most vital water assets. Join us for a 12-hour food drive Friday, 6am to 6pm, in Redding or Chico. Help stuff a RABA or B-Line bus at Les Schwab with food donations! LIVE UPDATESButte College celebrates Hispanic culture with first 'Festival de Nuestras Voces' on May 7by Marion Rodriguez — Butte College to host first ever 'Festival de Nuestras Voces' on Wednesday Butte College said the festival seeks to highlight Latino and Hispanic heritage through music performances Translated 'the festival of our voices,' entertainment for the event includes Chico High School Ballet Folklorico local performers and Yosimar Reyes a nationally recognized poet and activist who will be the keynote speaker The festival takes place at the Butte College Main Campus center lawn on 3536 Butte Campus Dr. is conducted by CalFire in conjunction with California Department of Water Resources at Loafer Creek State Recreation Area in Oroville With the discovery of the highly invasive golden mussel in California waterways the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is developing plans to protect State Water Project (SWP) infrastructure in Oroville while maintaining recreation opportunities at local reservoirs Golden mussels have not been detected at Lake Oroville and DWR will be implementing measures to prevent their introduction Golden mussels can alter aquatic ecosystems by filter-feeding on planktonic algae and changing the habitat structure impact water delivery systems by clogging small-diameter pipelines and impact recreation by fouling boat hulls and motors and clogging intakes and cooling lines.  DWR is coordinating with partners at the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to implement a watercraft inspection program at Lake Oroville and the surrounding SWP facilities in Butte County which is expected to begin later this month watercraft and trailers will need to be mussel free and 100 percent dry to pass an inspection or any area in the watercraft or trailer that can hold water Mussel inspections at DWR’s Oroville facilities will be free with more details about inspection locations and a future decontamination station to come Boats that pass inspection will be permitted to launch and also offered an Oroville reentry seal upon departure An intact reentry seal will allow watercraft to bypass the inspection process on the next visit and launch at any of the three Oroville reservoirs When recreating on California’s waterways Golden mussels range from ¾ inches to 2 inches in size and have a light to dark yellowish-brown to brown-colored shell When golden mussel populations are established they are difficult to control since they can become very abundant and are easily spread to new waterbodies are microscopic and free floating in infested waters and can be transported in a boat’s live well or in the bilge if these areas are not completely drained Additional details about golden mussels and an informational video are available on DWR’s website flood control releases from Oroville Dam ensure the safety of the City of Oroville and downstream communities by reserving storage space to capture high storm inflows while permitting controlled and coordinated releases from the dam As the summer months approach and rain and snowstorms driven by atmospheric rivers wane DWR transitions from performing flood control releases at Oroville Dam to conserving as much water in the reservoir as possible while still meeting water delivery and environmental requirements DWR has decreased total releases from Lake Oroville to account for reduced inflows into the reservoir while optimizing storage for the benefit of water supply DWR coordinates releases closely with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and other water operators and adjusts releases as needed to maintain balance throughout the water system Lake Oroville is the largest storage facility in the State Water Project providing flood protection while supporting environmental and water delivery needs to 27 million Californians Some water released from Lake Oroville is distributed locally for agriculture benefits while the remaining Feather River releases flow south through the State Water Project system to reduce salinity effects in the Delta provide irrigation for crops in the Central Valley and eventually make their way to Southern California and mountain snow levels to optimize water storage while allowing for carryover storage into next year Summer Hours in Effect for Spillway Day-Use Area As the summer months approach and daylight hours linger the Spillway Boat Ramp and Day Use Area is now open from 5 a.m All vehicles and trailers are subject to inspection by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for security purposes There are five other boat ramps at Lake Oroville that are open and do not entail CHP inspections: Bidwell Canyon DWR and its partners at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and Butte County Sheriff’s Office are closing portions of Canyon Drive for tree and vegetation removal over the next two weeks intersection and Oroville Dam Crest Road will be closed to traffic Tuesday Canyon Drive will be closed between Oroville Dam Crest Road and Royal Oaks Drive (Upper Oroville Dam Overlook) Monday DWR is performing fuel load reduction activities to minimize fire risk in areas surrounding Lake Oroville Oroville Dam Crest Road will remain open to visitors during nearby tree removal work DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan is dedicated to reducing wildfire risk and improving forest health around Lake Oroville During vegetation management activities some trails within the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area may be intermittently closed Trail users should use caution in active work areas and follow all posted signage Vegetation management remains a top priority for DWR and its partners including CAL FIRE the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) Lake Oroville is at 891 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.29 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 96 percent of its total capacity and 120 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 650 cfs through the City of Oroville with 1,650 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 2,300 cfs downstream DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily.  The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels, and more at the California Data Exchange Center The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO.” either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Lake Oroville is expected to reach its capacity for the third year in a row the first time such a milestone has ever been achieved for California's second-largest reservoir Over the past few years, Lake Oroville's water levels have significantly recovered following years of drought that depleted the state's reservoirs to concerningly low levels Above-average snowfall in the winter of 2023 and 2024 helped the reservoir recover the lake is expected to reach its capacity this spring as snow melts Lake Oroville's levels were marked at 888 feet The lake's water levels have been steadily rising since late November when winter storms begin to regularly to bring precipitation to Northern California Lake Oroville's water levels peaked in early June after seasonal snowmelt supplemented the reservoir amid dry conditions and increasing water needs the lake's levels fell through the summer until starting to rise again in the fall many of the state's reservoirs are still performing above average "The April 1 snowpack is an important benchmark for water managers who rely on snowpack and snowmelt runoff forecast data to plan for the amount of water that will flow into California's rivers and reservoirs in the spring," a DWR spokesperson previously told Newsweek "The State Water Project and water districts use this data to plan for how much water will be available for urban and agricultural water users during the drier summer and fall months." likewise hit its capacity the previous two years Lake Shasta's water levels were nearly 1,062 feet the reservoir reached capacity in early May A DWR spokesperson told Newsweek: "Lake Oroville is likely to reach full capacity this year This will be the first time the reservoir has reached full capacity three years in a row." DWR Director Karla Nemeth said in a press release: "It's great news that our state's snowpack has recovered from several weeks of extremely dry conditions in the heart of our winter storm season it's not a wet year across the entire Sierra Nevada but snowpack is less than average in the central and southern part of the mountain range That snowpack ultimately flows to the Delta and the regional disparity affects how much water the State Water Project will be able to deliver." Lake Oroville's water levels are expected to continue rising through the spring as warmer temperatures melt the snowpack in California's mountains with the southern part of the state struggling with severe and extreme drought conditions Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. Newsletters in your inbox See all Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Live EventSTUFF THE BUS: Food Drive 2025   See MoreJoin us for a 12-hour food drive Friday, 6am to 6pm, in Redding or Chico. Help stuff a RABA or B-Line bus at Les Schwab with food donations! LIVE UPDATESMan charged with murder after ex-girlfriend's tragic death in Orovilleby Ashley Harting OROVILLE, Calif. — A Hurleton man was arraigned in a Butte County courtroom on Wednesday, facing charges related to the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend over the weekend Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced that Curtis Ector Morales has been charged with felony counts of murder with the use of a firearm and possession of a short-barreled shotgun The charges are connected to the death of 32-year-old Dakota Morningstar who was shot on Morales' property in the 600 block of Black Bart Road in the rural Hurleton area Ramsey stated that police received reports of a woman with a gunshot wound at approximately 11:55 p.m Officers from the Butte County Sheriff's Office found Morningstar at the scene with a gunshot wound to her left side the investigation revealed that Morningstar was Morales' ex-girlfriend and had recently moved out of the Black Bart Road property She had returned to the property to collect her dog and personal belongings shortly before she was shot Ramsey said that witnesses reported hearing a verbal altercation between Morningstar and Morales Police discovered a short-barreled shotgun hidden in a manzanita bush on the property Morales was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail on suspicion of murder on Sunday morning Morales appeared in court with his private attorney He is scheduled to return to Butte County Superior Court on April 24 for the entry of plea and setting of a preliminary hearing Morales is currently being held in custody with bail set at $2,015,000 Golden mussels during surveys at O’Neill Forebay in Merced County Stopping the Spread of Golden Mussel  With the discovery of the highly invasive golden mussel in California waterways in October 2024 the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has been developing plans to protect State Water Project (SWP) infrastructure while maintaining facilities like Lake Oroville as prime recreation destinations golden mussels are expected to begin spawning making them a significant threat to the ecological health of all waters of the state Golden mussels have not been detected at Lake Oroville and DWR will be implementing measures to prevent their introduction with a program expected to begin within the next month golden mussels can alter aquatic ecosystems by filter-feeding on planktonic algae and changing the habitat structure which can damage fisheries DWR routinely monitors for these species and acts to prevent their spread to non-infested waters Additional details about golden mussels and an informational video are available on DWR’s website. CDFW also issued a press release last week about a joint effort to stop the spread of golden mussels in California waterways As the warm summer months approach and rain and snowstorms driven by atmospheric rivers wane The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) will hold a meeting on Friday at the Southside Oroville Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recreation plan recommendations for Oroville Facilities owned by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government DWR is hosting an Earth Day event at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center this Saturday Join our guides in creating beautiful chalk art and craft projects showcasing your love for our planet and its precious resources Also stop by to view wildflower-inspired artwork from Butte County residents of all ages Artwork is being displayed in the Visitor Center’s front lobby from Saturday the Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m the Visitor Center features interpretive displays on Oroville Dam View videos in the theater about the construction of Oroville Dam and visit the 47-foot-tall observation tower that provides unsurpassed panoramic views of surrounding areas Free guided tours for school and community groups are available by reservation Parking and admission to the Visitor Center are free CAL FIRE Recognizes DWR for Vegetation Management Efforts CAL FIRE Butte County Unit Chief Garrett Sjolund recognized the Department for its vegetation and fire risk reduction efforts throughout the Lake Oroville area strong winds began to push the fire along the Feather River and up the canyon towards the Kelly Ridge area which would have had devastating impacts on local residents thanks in part to DWR’s previous fuels reduction work along Oro Dam Blvd which caused the fire to slow significantly Due to lighter vegetation and ladder fuels in the area surface fuels burned at a much lower rate and reduced spot fire potential “It is my opinion that had the DWR not focused effort on fuels reduction along Oro Dam Blvd the outcome of this incident may have been much different,” noted Chief Sjolund in his letter DWR's Fuel Load Management Plan is reducing hazardous fuels and the risk of catastrophic wildfire by thinning vegetation using hand and mechanical methods accompanied by chipping and controlled burning firefighters have a better chance at suppressing a wildfire DWR and its local partners treated or retreated more than 2,500 acres of vegetation Lake Oroville is at 886 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.21 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 94 percent of its total capacity and 119 percent of the historical average Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov Various wildflowers blanket a field at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve in Butte County Stopping the Spread of Golden Mussels  Watercraft inspections at Lake Oroville and the surrounding SWP facilities are expected to begin within the next month More details will be released soon about the inspection and decontamination program Mussel larvae are microscopic and free floating in infested waters and can be transported in a boat’s live well Flood Control Releases from Lake Oroville Ongoing DWR continues to perform flood protection releases from Lake Oroville using the main spillway and Hyatt Powerplant Releases from Lake Oroville during the spring months help maintain storage capacity in the reservoir to capture runoff from mountain snowmelt while optimizing storage for the benefit of water supply DWR continues to conserve as much water supply as possible in coordination with the U.S Between October and June, DWR is required to operate Lake Oroville for flood control under federal Water Control Manual guidelines set by USACE. DWR is also operating under its own Interim Operations Plan (IOP) approved by USACE and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission These federal regulations and the IOP establish an expanded storage space that is reserved to capture inflows from rain and future snowmelt while protecting downstream communities from damaging flood events through water releases Releases to the Feather River are coordinated closely with USACE and other downstream water operators which would have had devastating impacts to local residents Celebrate Earth Day this month with DWR and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center The Visitor Center is currently accepting wildflower-inspired artwork from Butte County residents of all ages Submissions can range from photography and painting to digital art Artwork will be displayed in the Visitor Center’s front lobby from Saturday DWR is hosting an Earth Day event at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center on Saturday Lake Oroville is at 880 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.13 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 91 percent of its total capacity and 119 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 1,000 cfs through the City of Oroville with 5,000 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 6,000 cfs downstream Graphic explaining flood control releases in reservoirs The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues federally required flood control releases from Lake Oroville to maintain flood protection for downstream communities Flood releases using Oroville Dam’s main spillway began this morning at 10 a.m with water also being released through the Hyatt Powerplant for energy production Total Feather River flood control releases are currently at 35,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) DWR is required to operate Lake Oroville for flood control under federal Water Control Manual Guidelines set by the U.S These federal regulations establish a set storage space that is reserved to capture inflows from rain and future snowmelt while protecting downstream communities from damaging flood events through coordinated releases DWR has increased releases from Lake Oroville storm impacts and runoff into Lake Oroville were less than initially projected on forecasts and weather models DWR currently plans to maintain flood releases this week at 35,000 cfs with releases subject to change with ongoing wet weather Releases to the Feather River are coordinated closely with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and other downstream water operators Feather River recreation users are advised to remain alert as river flows are expected to be swift and cold and may change based on projected weather forecasts The information below reflects current reservoir level estimates Forecasts can change quickly and may affect the estimates provided The Lake Oroville reservoir is the largest storage facility in the State Water Project and eventually make their way to southern California The work is part of the fuel load management program which reduces fire risk Flood Control Releases from Lake Oroville Continue Water is being released through the Hyatt Powerplant for energy production and from Oroville Dam’s main spillway DWR has reduced releases from Lake Oroville to conserve as much water supply as possible in coordination with the U.S Releases are subject to change based on ongoing weather conditions DWR is required to operate Lake Oroville for flood control under federal Water Control Manual guidelines set by USACE The California Natural Resources Agency hosted its 19th Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on March 7 the Commission received presentations from the Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency and the City of Oroville on the status of the City of Oroville’s levee an explanation of the typical components of Water Control Manuals from the U.S and an update on the Commission’s 2025 Legislative Report The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum for questions and feedback from the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. For information on the meeting, please visit the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission website A transcript of the virtual meeting will be available on the webpage in the coming weeks DWR and its partners at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and Butte County Sheriff’s Office are closing a portion of Oro Dam Blvd between Canyon Drive and Oro Powerhouse Road for tree and debris removal A full road closure will be in effect Monday through Friday between 7 a.m DWR is taking advantage of the closure to drop and clear large hazard trees that were damaged by the July 2024 Thompson Fire in addition to performing routine fuel load reduction activities to minimize fire risk in areas surrounding Lake Oroville Vegetation management remains a top priority for DWR and its partners Boaters and recreationists can help combat the spread of a new invasive species recently discovered in California waterways – the golden mussel this species poses a significant threat to infrastructure and the ecological health of all state waterways Golden mussels range from ¾ inches to 2 inches in size and have a light to dark yellowish-brown to brown-colored shell they can alter aquatic ecosystems by filter-feeding on planktonic algae and changing the habitat structure and impact recreation by fouling boat hulls and motors and clogging intakes and cooling lines Speed boat time trials are returning to the Thermalito Afterbay March 8-9 The event requires the closure of the southern portion of the Afterbay (south of Highway 162) The Wilbur Road boat ramp and areas north of Hwy 162 will remain open for public use during the boating event The event is hosted by the Northern California Outboard Association and East Bay Boat Club and features a mile-long course. Time trial events are expected Saturday and Sunday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. depending on weather and water conditions. More information about the event can be found on the American Power Boat Association webpage Lake Oroville is at 862 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.88 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 84 percent of its total capacity and 126 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 900 cfs through the City of Oroville with 6,700 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 7,600 cfs downstream A drone view of water levels at Bidwell Bar Bridge at Lake Oroville in Butte County Flood releases using Oroville Dam’s main spillway began Monday 3 with water also being released through the Hyatt Powerplant for energy production Total Feather River flood control releases remain at 35,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) with a planned reduction to 30,000 cfs on Sunday DWR is required to operate Lake Oroville for flood control under federal Water Control Manual guidelines set by the U.S Inflows into Lake Oroville continue to exceed flood releases with water storage increasing in the reservoir With a significant increase in runoff into Lake Oroville from recent storm systems DWR’s civil maintenance crews have been patrolling the branches of Lake Oroville to capture floating woody debris before it reaches the main body of the lake Higher inflows wash woody debris into the reservoir which can impact water infrastructure and present a hazard to boaters and pulling larger pieces of wood out of the lake and away from shoreline areas using boom lines DWR crews spent a significant amount of time collecting woody debris in Lake Oroville in 2023 and 2024 following heavy storms and high reservoir levels with over 19,000 cubic yards of woody vegetation collected Floating debris removal ensures continued infrastructure operations and the safety of the recreating public on Lake Oroville boaters and other water recreationists should take precautions when operating watercrafts on Lake Oroville and should remain alert for floating debris The Enterprise boat ramp is open for use thanks to continued rising lake levels Located on the south fork arm of Lake Oroville Enterprise ramp provides easy access to the south fork for fishing and swimming opportunities Check the status of Lake Oroville boat and cartop ramps on the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s (State Parks) website the Lake Oroville Visitor Center features interpretive displays on Oroville Dam Lake Oroville is one of the State Water Project’s premier recreational destinations and one of California’s best fishing spots The lake provides both warm-water and cold-water fisheries with excellent bass fishing opportunities during the fall and winter months Be sure to check CDFW fishing regulations before fishing The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store DWR, State Parks, and CDFW maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage A paper trail map is available at various locations including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan Lake Oroville is at 862 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.87 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 84 percent of its total capacity and 137 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 25,000 cfs through the City of Oroville with 10,000 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 35,000 cfs downstream Total Feather River releases will decrease to 30,000 cfs on Sunday with flows reduced to 20,000 cfs through the City of Oroville and Outlet releases remaining at 10,000 cfs A drone view of water levels at Bidwell Bar Bridge and (Left) Bidwell Canyon Marina at Lake Oroville in Butte County With lessening storms and reduced inflows into Lake Oroville DWR has decreased total Feather River flood control releases to 17,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) DWR is required to release water from Lake Oroville DWR maintains several areas that preserve and enhance wildlife habitat Encompassed within the Thermalito Afterbay’s 17 miles of shoreline and 4,300 surface acres of water are numerous brood ponds that provide prime habitat and breeding areas for waterfowl and giant garter snakes While water levels at the Afterbay may fluctuate based on agriculture and hydropower operations DWR ensures brood pond habitats remain stable A flap gate outlet system permits water to flow into brood pond areas raising water levels while preventing water from being released and maintaining a stable elevation for waterfowl nests and giant garter snakes These measures ensure these species continue to thrive upholding DWR’s commitment to protect and enhance the natural and human environments To improve fish habitats at Lake Oroville and the Thermalito Afterbay DWR works with members of the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to bundle recycled Christmas trees and anchor them in various locations around the lakebed Anchoring the trees allows them to remain submerged and improving fisheries and recreational fishing opportunities Installation of the Christmas tree habitats will occur in the coming weeks boaters and other water recreationists should take precautions when operating watercraft on Lake Oroville and should remain alert for floating debris DWR, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage Lake Oroville is at 857 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.8 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 82 percent of its total capacity and 131 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 7,000 cfs through the City of Oroville with 10,000 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 17,000 cfs downstream Total Feather River releases will decrease to 15,000 cfs on Feb with flows from the Outlet remaining at 10,000 cfs A drone view of Oroville Dam and main spillway at Lake Oroville in Butte County Flood Control Releases from Lake Oroville Increased The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has increased federally required flood control releases from Lake Oroville to maintain flood protection for downstream communities Atmospheric rivers have delivered rain and snow to the Feather River watershed this week elevating inflows into Lake Oroville and requiring increased flood control releases Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations at Lake Oroville Can Increase Region’s Resilience to Floods A new report released this week shows that changes to reservoir operations at Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar Reservoir can further reduce flood risk for communities along the Yuba and Feather rivers during extreme atmospheric river storm events and potentially benefit water supply during drier periods. The approach, known as Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations and runoff projections to build more flexibility and efficiency into reservoir operations Lake Oroville is managed by DWR and New Bullards Bar is managed by Yuba Water combined with a planned second spillway at New Bullards Bar could provide additional flood storage capacity in the Yuba-Feather system and reduce downstream peak flows during prolonged storms like the 1986 and 1997 floods that devastated Yuba County “California’s reservoirs play a critical role in safeguarding our communities from floods and maintaining our state’s water supply especially as we continue to see more extreme weather events in the form of larger more severe periods of drought,” said DWR’s State Climatologist Dr “The Yuba-Feather FIRO Viability Assessment is an important step toward improving flood protection to communities downstream while managing California’s valuable water resources for decades to come.” Learn more about the Yuba-Feather FIRO Final Viability Assessment in DWR’s news release DWR and its partners at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and Butte County Sheriff’s Office continue the closure of a portion of Oro Dam Blvd A full road closure will continue to be in effect Monday through Thursday between 7 a.m Lake Oroville is at 864 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.9 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 85 percent of its total capacity and 124 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 900 cfs through the City of Oroville with 9,100 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 10,000 cfs downstream A drone view of water levels near the Oroville Dam at Lake Oroville DWR Begins Required Flood Control Releases from Lake Oroville Ahead of forecasted storms arriving this weekend the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has increased water releases to the Feather River from the Oroville-Thermalito Complex to maintain flood protection for downstream communities With runoff into Lake Oroville projected to range between 50,000 to 120,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) by early next week DWR is currently planning to start using Oroville Dam’s main spillway on Monday for additional flood control releases.  DWR must increase releases from Lake Oroville While weather conditions have largely remained dry in the southern part of California this water year northern California received a series of atmospheric river-driven storms in late November and December to boost reservoir storage at Lake Oroville Lake Oroville’s elevation rose approximately 64 feet An update on planned Feather River releases will be provided Monday DWR is nearing completion on a project to improve a 1.5-mile section of the Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and the Highway 70 Garden Drive overpass DWR crews are currently installing a 4-foot-wide decomposed granite path alongside an 8-foot-wide asphalt path which offers an improved recreation experience for trail users The Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and Garden Drive may be closed intermittently during work which is weather dependent and subject to change DWR also previously installed accessible gates at trail entrance points which restrict vehicles while still providing access for equestrians and pedestrians.  Project improvements were supported by a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the National Park Service with remaining funding for the $700,000 project provided by DWR.  ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recreation plan recommendations for Oroville Facilities owned by DWR the Butte County Sheriff’s Office crew is conducting post-burn cleanup efforts in the Loafer Creek area following CAL FIRE’s prescribed burn in October 2024 CAL FIRE hand crews and heavy equipment operators are also assisting as resources allow These efforts focus on reducing wildfire risk by thinning vegetation through hand and mechanical methods some trails within the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area may be intermittently closed Vegetation management in this critical area remains a top priority for DWR and its partners including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.   Lake Oroville is at 840 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.58 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 75 percent of its total capacity and 126 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 1,050 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 4,950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 6,000 cfs downstream Total Feather River releases will increase to 12,000 cfs on Saturday with flows increased to 2,000 cfs through the City of Oroville and Outlet releases at 10,000 cfs DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily.  A drone view of Bidwell Bar Bridge and Bidwell Canyon Marina at Lake Oroville in Butte County The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues federally required flood control releases from Lake Oroville to reduce flood risk for downstream communities Oroville Wildflower & Nature Festival The Feather River Recreation & Park District (FRRPD) is hosting its annual Wildflower & Nature Festival at Riverbend Park in Oroville on Saturday Admission is free to the festival with activities highlighting the area’s natural resources and booths showcasing handmade Butte County products Activities and entertainment will be available for all ages including children’s crafts Make sure to stop by DWR’s booth for information about native plants that inhabit local vernal pools and a craft activity for kids – making felt California poppies and tissue paper Butte County meadowfoam. More information about the Wildflower & Nature Festival is available on FRRPD’s website DWR’s Civil Maintenance staff have removed log booms from the south and north forks of the Feather River that feed into Lake Oroville permitting access to recreation sites further upstream crews use log booms to collect woody debris during high water inflow periods and prevent it from reaching the larger body of the lake Crews will continue woody vegetation collection as water levels rise this spring at Lake Oroville A popular excursion at Lake Oroville during high-water level periods is to take a boat trip to the upper end of the Middle Fork Arm to view Feather Falls a Yosemite-style waterfall of exquisite beauty there are many smaller waterfalls to see including some that tumble directly into Lake Oroville such as Bean Creek and Frey Creek There are unlimited bass fishing opportunities along the route and trout fishing can also be good where the cold mountain streams enter the lake and CDFW installed fish habitat structures earlier this month at Lake Oroville and the Thermalito Afterbay using approximately 1,300 recycled Christmas trees The trees were collected by Chico Boy Scout Troop 2 and delivered free of charge to DWR by Recology To create the habitats on Lake Oroville and the Thermalito Afterbay members of the CCC team bundle the recycled Christmas trees together and anchor them in various locations around the lakebed At Lake Oroville near the Bidwell Saddle Dam area 744 trees were assembled into 35 structures 570 trees were assembled into 56 structures DWR has worked with local groups to construct fish habitat structures which is one of the longest continuously running warmwater fish habitat improvement programs in the State of California Lake Oroville is at 870 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.97 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 87 percent of its total capacity and 120 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 2,500 cfs through the City of Oroville with 8,500 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 11,000 cfs downstream With drier weather returning and reduced inflows into Lake Oroville DWR has decreased total Feather River flood control releases to 13,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) Lake Oroville is at 862.5 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.87million acre-feet (MAF) which is 84 percent of its total capacity and 132 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 3,000 cfs through the City of Oroville with 10,000 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 13,000 cfs downstream California Poppies bloom on a hillside near Lake Oroville in Butte County the Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues to perform flood protection releases from Lake Oroville using the main spillway and Hyatt Powerplant the 3,300-acre North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve is a flat-topped mesa providing spectacular views of the valley below fissures along the vast lava caps form natural streams and waterfalls that cascade off the plateau to the valley below DWR, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and CDFW maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.  Lake Oroville is at 875 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.06 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 89 percent of its total capacity and 121 percent of the historical average A new wooden foot bridge spans a small stream that cuts through the Brad Freeman Trail near the Hyatt Powerplant DWR and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) have reopened additional Lake Oroville State Recreation Area trails that were damaged by the July 2024 Thompson Fire State Parks has rebuilt the Potter’s Ravine foot bridge which will also permit public access to the North Fork trail the east portions of the Brad Freeman and Dan Beebe trails from the base of Oroville Dam’s main spillway to Canyon Drive have reopened DWR and State Parks continue to assess fire impacts to recreation facilities and prioritize recovery efforts Trail users should remain alert during recreation activities as State Parks continues trail repairs and brush removal using heavy equipment Closures remain in effect at the following locations: DWR, State Parks, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage Lake Oroville is at 862 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.87million acre-feet (MAF) which is 84 percent of its total capacity and 130 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 1,600 cfs through the City of Oroville with 8,800 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 10,400 cfs downstream Total Feather River releases will decrease to 10,100 cfs on March 1 with flows through the City of Oroville reduced to 1,300 cfs the Butte County Sheriff’s Office crew is continuing post-burn cleanup efforts in the Loafer Creek area following CAL FIRE’s prescribed burn in October 2024 Smoke will be visible throughout the Oroville area Lake Oroville is at 878 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.09 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 90 percent of its total capacity and 120 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 2,500 cfs through the City of Oroville with 10,000 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 12,500 cfs downstream Total Feather River releases will be decreased to 11,000 cfs on Sunday April 13 with flows through the City of Oroville reduced to 2,200 cfs and flows from the Outlet reduced to 8,800 cfs Benefits Of the Flexible Water Management Strategy Outlined in A New Report OROVILLE, Calif. – A new report released today shows that changes to reservoir operations at Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar Reservoir can further reduce flood risk for communities along the Yuba and Feather rivers during extreme atmospheric river storm events and potentially benefit water supply during drier periods. The approach, known as Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations The Yuba and Feather rivers originate in the Sierra Nevada and join at Marysville and Yuba City before flowing into the Sacramento River With significant watershed runoff making both rivers prone to flooding Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar play a critical role in managing river flows especially as the state sees more intense atmospheric river storms While reducing flood risk is the top priority FIRO can also improve California’s ability to provide a reliable water supply for communities and agriculture “This is a critical step towards making more floodwaters available for groundwater recharge when we see extremely wet storms,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth “FIRO drives tighter coordination between reservoir operators and water districts downstream creating opportunities to use reservoir releases to build up our groundwater reserves for dry years.” Realizing The Full Benefits of FIRO With a Second Spillway at New Bullards Bar Dam Yuba Water is planning operational changes and the construction of a new Atmospheric River Control (ARC) Spillway at New Bullards Bar The second spillway will have gates 31.5 feet lower than the dam’s existing spillway gates allowing the agency to release water before large when there is enough downstream channel capacity to handle the flows “The ARC Spillway will help realize the full benefits of FIRO in our region by reducing peak flows downstream and decreasing stress on our levee system during large atmospheric river events,” explained Yuba Water’s Director of Resource Planning John James we’re essentially gaining the amount of flood storage that would historically only be created through building additional infrastructure we’re enhancing existing infrastructure and using the latest in science and technology to modernize flood operations and improve public safety.” The ARC Spillway project is currently at 100 percent design with Yuba Water actively pursuing state and federal grant funding Yuba Water anticipates construction could begin as soon as 2027 The existing spillway capacity at Oroville Dam is already adequate to fully realize the benefits of FIRO.  Next Step: Incorporating FIRO Into Water Control Manual Updates both DWR and Yuba Water are required to draw down their reservoirs to ensure there’s enough flood storage space These requirements are outlined in each reservoir’s water control manual Since advanced weather forecasting tools give dam operators more notice of incoming storms water releases to reduce flood risk may begin earlier using FIRO providing additional storage capacity to capture increased runoff into reservoirs As storm systems pass and dry conditions return Both agencies are working with the USACE Sacramento District to update their water control manuals While FIRO and the water control manual are separate processes the final viability assessment can help inform the water control manual process The updates will ensure both reservoirs continue to comply with federal flood control guidelines while potentially adding flexibility to make operational decisions based on improved forecasting Public meetings for the water control manual updates are on track to begin this year “The Yuba-Feather FIRO Viability Assessment is an important step toward formalizing our district's use of improved weather forecasts for strategic water management decisions at New Bullards Bar and Oroville reservoirs,” said Jenny Fromm the USACE Sacramento District’s chief of water management “As we consider including aspects of the report in water control manual updates for these non-USACE-owned reservoirs public participation in the process will be another essential part of our efforts to decrease flood risk and improve drought resilience.” FIRO is being implemented successfully at Lake Mendocino in the Russian River watershed in Northern California and will soon be integrated into operations at Prado Dam in the Santa Ana River watershed in Southern California As the largest and most complex FIRO assessment to date and the first with a primary goal of reducing flood risk the Yuba-Feather FIRO Program continues establishing FIRO’s benefit in California as an important part of a comprehensive water management and resilience strategy Media@water.ca.gov dcordell@yubawater.org Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography Lmwood@ucsd.edu spk-pao@usace.army.mil LIVE UPDATESMan arrested for murder after fatal shooting of ex-girlfriend in Orovilleby Adam Robinson — A man has been arrested for murder following the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend at a home in Oroville over the weekend deputies from the Butte County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) responded to a report of a shooting on Black Bart Road Despite lifesaving efforts by deputies and medical personnel detectives contacted several people at the property where the woman was found Detectives obtained a search warrant for the property and determined that Morales and the victim had previously been in a dating relationship Detectives said they uncovered evidence leading them to believe Morales was responsible for the shooting The Butte County Sheriff's Office said that the investigation is ongoing Morales was booked into the Butte County Jail on murder charges He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Butte County Superior Court on Wednesday afternoon Report a correction or typo. Northern California’s significant rain and snow levels in 2023 continued to benefit Lake Oroville at the start of 2024. Rising reservoir levels from January storms prompted DWR to conduct flood control releases from Oroville Dam’s main spillway for the second year in a row. Releases began Jan. 31 and continued intermittently throughout the spring providing critical flood protection to downstream communities DWR maintains storage space in Lake Oroville during the typical wet weather months to ensure adequate space remains in the reservoir to capture runoff from rain and spring snowmelt Releases are coordinated closely with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and other water operators and adjusted as needed The Feather River watershed received enough precipitation and snowpack runoff in the first months of 2024 to fill Lake Oroville to capacity by early May for the second year in a row. As the largest storage facility in the State Water Project Lake Oroville helps provide water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland making spring an important time for water project operators to fill reservoirs ahead of dry months With a full reservoir providing prime recreation opportunities at the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) completed improvements to reopen the Bidwell Canyon Gold Flat Loop Campground In addition to repaving campground access roads three of the 37 tent/RV camping sites received accessibility upgrades with parking stalls and a clear path of travel to accessible restroom and shower facilities Upgrades to the campground also included new water and sewer facilities to complement new power hookups that were completed in recent years.  In late June, DWR announced an update to Lake Oroville’s storage capacity Because decades had passed since Oroville Dam’s construction DWR sought to assess whether sedimentation (rock and silt settling on the lakebed floor) had altered Lake Oroville's storage capacity and topography significantly Using an airplane-mounted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser system and multibeam-sonar bathymetry instruments highly detailed 3D topographic terrain models of the bottom of the lake were created which DWR engineers used to calculate a new storage capacity of 3,424,753 acre-feet approximately 3 percent less than previously estimated the Thompson Fire threatened the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area and several DWR facilities including the Hyatt Powerplant with DWR activating its emergency Incident Command Team in response several recreation trails near the Diversion Pool and in the Potter’s Ravine area remain closed for repair and hazard tree removal DWR’s Oroville Field Division hosted emergency preparedness exercises for staff and partnering local emergency management agencies A tabletop exercise included a review of the Oroville-Thermalito Complex dams and an overview of DWR’s incident command team structure which follows National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in-depth functional exercise had DWR staff and emergency management partners responding to a mock emergency scenario DWR leads emergency preparedness trainings on a yearly basis to ensure Oroville Field Division staff readiness for any type of emergency or incident The exercises reinforce DWR’s commitment to enhancing emergency preparedness and maintaining relationships and collaboration with local emergency response partners Construction work also continued on the River Valve Outlet System (RVOS) at Oroville Dam The system is a series of two parallel outlet conduits that have the capacity to draw water from deep in Lake Oroville for release providing the ability to discharge cold water to the Feather River to maintain water temperatures necessary for fish health It also ensures the ability to maintain Feather River flows through RVOS releases during drought years especially if reservoir levels drop below Hyatt Powerplant’s water intake structures DWR also made progress on a project to improve a 1.5-mile section of the Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and the Highway 70 Garden Drive overpass Work this fall included paving an 8-foot-wide asphalt path and the installation of accessible box gates at trail entrance points Future work is weather dependent and will include a 4-foot-wide decomposed granite path for pedestrians The improvement project is supported by a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the National Park Service with remaining funding for the $700,000 project provided by DWR Fuel load reduction and fire mitigation work continued on DWR property along Oro Dam Blvd and the Loafer Creek State Recreation Area DWR and its local partners have treated or retreated more than 2,500 acres of vegetation DWR’s Floating Classroom program returned this fall offering free educational rafting tours on the Feather River to local schools and public members The Floating Classroom program takes participants through Feather River spawning habitat while scientists with DWR and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission provide information on Chinook salmon conservation efforts and fisheries management activities supported by DWR’s State Water Project (SWP) This year’s program provided free education to more than 900 local students Annual Chinook salmon spawning activities at the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville were also completed The Hatchery collected enough eggs to meet its normal production goal of 2 million spring-run fingerlings and 6 million fall-run fingerlings with additional eggs collected to increase production this year Another 1 million spring-run and 6 million fall-run Chinook salmon will be produced to address declines in Central Valley Chinook salmon populations during recent years Chinook salmon fingerlings raised at the Hatchery will be released in the Feather River and San Francisco Bay between March and June to support inland and ocean populations The Feather River Fish Hatchery is a SWP facility built in the late 1960s by DWR to mitigate impacts on fish migration resulting from the construction of Oroville Dam DWR owns and maintains the facility and provides funding to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to perform spawning DWR looks forward to initiating and completing more projects in 2025 at the Oroville-Thermalito Complex The Lake Oroville Community Update will continue to share news and information with the community.  The Lake Oroville Visitor Center will close all day for the Christmas and New Year holidays Visitors may still access nearby trails during the holiday closures The Spillway Day Use Area and Boat Ramp will be open from 6 a.m Winter hours for the Spillway Day Use Area are in effect through April 30 with the recreation area open daily from 6 a.m Lake Oroville is at 791 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 59 percent of its total capacity and 110 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 1,750 cfs downstream DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily DWR wishes everyone a happy holiday season The Lake Oroville Community Update will return on January 10 A drone view of the Historic Bidwell Bar Bridge and Lake Oroville in Butte County With wetter watershed conditions earlier in the week DWR increased releases to 15,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) but reduced releases today as drier conditions returned Planned Water Fluctuations at the Oroville-Thermalito Complex Water levels at several locations within the Oroville-Thermalito Complex will fluctuate this weekend for planned concrete work on the River Valve Outlet System (RVOS) at Oroville Dam water levels at the Thermalito Afterbay will drop approximately 3 feet while water levels at the Diversion Pool and Thermalito Forebay will be approximately 1 foot lower than usual These water level fluctuations are within the standard operating range at these facilities with water elevations returning to their usual level by Sunday evening The lower water levels within the complex enable DWR to continue making progress on the RVOS at Oroville Dam A new report released last week shows that changes to reservoir operations at Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar Reservoir can further reduce flood risk for communities along the Yuba and Feather rivers during extreme atmospheric river storm events and potentially benefit water supply during drier periods. The approach, known as Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations Lake Oroville is at 868 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.96 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 86 percent of its total capacity and 123 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 4,000 cfs through the City of Oroville with 8,500 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 12,500 cfs downstream On Sunday total Feather River flows will reduce to 11,500 cfs with flows through the City of Oroville at 3,000 cfs and flows from the Outlet at 8,500 cfs A drone view of Bidwell Canyon Marina at Lake Oroville in Butte County Like Chinook salmon that migrate from the Pacific Ocean to the Feather River to spawn steelhead trout have similar migratory practices with most returning in the fall and winter months With more than 1,300 steelhead trout migrating upstream from DWR’s fish monitoring station this year the cooler months offer prime steelhead fishing opportunities in the Feather River The Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA) provides walk-in access to several miles of the Feather River for fishing the Thermalito Forebay and Thermalito Afterbay offer additional excellent fishing opportunities for steelhead Lake Oroville is also one of the State Water Project’s premier recreational destinations and one of California’s best fishing spots Be sure to check California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) fishing regulations before fishing DWR staff are reporting high numbers of ticks this fall along Lake Oroville State Recreation Area trails and within vegetated or grassy portions of the Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA) Ticks are parasites that feed off the blood of a host such as an animal or human They live in vegetated areas and crawl to the tips of grasses or branches and wait for a host to brush up against them Ticks can carry diseases including Lyme Disease which can be transmitted to a host and cause serious illness and long-term health issues When recreating around Lake Oroville and the OWA protect yourself from ticks using these methods: While Oroville Dam plays a critical role in providing flood protection to downstream communities it is also a prime location for physical fitness A 1.3-mile paved road and separated two-lane multi-use path runs the length of the dam’s crest offering an opportunity for exercise while enjoying scenic views of both Lake Oroville and the valley Free parking is available on either side of the dam’s crest with restroom facilities located at the intersection of Canyon Drive and Oroville Dam Crest Road Additional nearby parking is available at the Oroville Dam Crest Overlook with a short path connecting to the dam crest road For early birds or late-night fitness enthusiasts making it a great location for free outdoor recreation during the shorter daylight hours of the autumn and winter months Lake Oroville is at 758 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.68 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 49 percent of its total capacity and 95 percent of the historical average The Lake Oroville Community Update will return on December 6 where personnel harvest and fertilize eggs at the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville The facility was built between 1966 and 1967 by the California Department of Water Resources and operated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to compensate for spawning grounds lost to returning salmon and steelhead trout with the construction of Oroville Dam roughly 9,000 to 18,000 salmon and 2,000 steelhead are spawned and raised at the hatchery Annual Chinook salmon spawning activities at the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville have been completed This treatment improves the health of the fish increasing the survival of Chinook salmon from egg to juvenile The Feather River Fish Hatchery is a California State Water Project (SWP) facility built in the late 1960s by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to mitigate impacts on fish migration resulting from the construction of Oroville Dam DWR’s civil maintenance crews will begin deploying log booms within the next few weeks throughout the various branches of Lake Oroville to capture floating woody debris before it reaches the main body of the lake inflows into Lake Oroville are expected to increase with strong storms from atmospheric rivers These higher inflows wash woody debris into the reservoir Stop by the Lake Oroville Visitor Center each weekend in December for free winter-themed craft activities for kids three-years-old and up Located at 917 Kelly Ridge Road in Oroville Snow-cember weekend craft activities include: Rising reservoir levels at Lake Oroville from recent storms have required the closure of Lakeside Access Road at Oroville Dam vehicle access to the Spillway Boat Ramp and Day Use Area is available daily between 6 a.m with all vehicles and trailers subject to inspection by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for security purposes There are three other boat ramps at Lake Oroville that are open 24 hours per day and do not entail CHP inspections: Bidwell Canyon Lake Oroville is at 785 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.94 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 57 percent of its total capacity and 108 percent of the historical average In November a series of atmospheric rivers brought heavy rainfall to Northern California, with Lake Oroville experiencing an approximate 26-foot rise in elevation between Nov. 19 and Nov. 30 due to runoff. Incoming weekend storms are expected to further raise water levels at Lake Oroville but with the reservoir currently at 56 percent of its total capacity there is still ample storage to capture storm runoff while providing flood control protection for the Feather River and downstream communities Water inflows to the reservoir during November storms were as high as 64,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) while outflows in the Feather River through Oroville remained at a minimum of 800 cfs DWR took advantage of the recent storm systems to capture as much water as possible in Lake Oroville while continuing to support environmental and water delivery needs to 27 million Californians 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.” LIVE UPDATESCalifornia's Lake Oroville sees rising water levels amid storm impactby Tyler Van Dyke SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is set to conduct its second snow survey of the season on Friday at Phillips Station near Lake Tahoe This survey is part of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys (CCSS) program and disseminates snow data from more than 265 snow courses and 130 snow sensors throughout the Sierra Nevada and Shasta-Trinity Mountains but it also forecasts seasonal and water year runoff for major snow-bearing watersheds in California Lake Oroville which is 75 percent of its total storage capacity The runoff for the lake is projected to range between 50,000 to 60,000 cubic feet per second by early next week Lake Oroville’s elevation is expected to rise several feet over the coming week The reservoir's storage saw a significant boost due to a series of atmospheric river-driven storms in Northern California in late November and December leading to the elevation rising approximately 64 feet between November 19 and December 31 "Since Lake Oroville’s elevation is currently 126 percent of its historical average for this date the increase in water elevation has prompted DWR to begin making flood control releases," said a DWR spokesperson DWR is increasing releases from Lake Oroville." When asked about concerns for water levels lasting over the summer "While this storm system will certainly boost water supply at Lake Oroville the Feather River Basin would continue to need further atmospheric river storms for Lake Oroville to reach full capacity this summer and mountain snow levels to optimize water storage while allowing for carryover storage into next year." The Feather River Fish Hatchery raises steelhead at the hatchery and releases them into the Feather River at Boyd’s Pump Boat Launch in Yuba City The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has begun planting Central Valley steelhead raised at the Feather River Fish Hatchery at sites along the Feather and Sacramento rivers A total of 540,222 yearling-size steelhead were raised in 2024 for release in local waterways between Jan Steelhead spawning operations are also underway at the Hatchery and will continue through early February These fish 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 the juvenile fish will be reared at the hatchery for a full year and then released next winter into the Feather River Like the salmon that populate the Feather River steelhead trout migrate from the river to the ocean they can spawn several times during their lifetime The name “steelhead” comes from their appearance a more streamlined shape than Chinook salmon with a silvery or brassy color as an adult DWR owns and maintains the facility and provides funding to CDFW to perform spawning Celebrate one of the greatest migratory bird pathways in the world at the Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway happening Jan The festival hosts a variety of activities throughout the four-day event including guided field trips to view the waterfowl and Snow Geese that migrate through the Northern Sacramento Valley during the winter months and guided field trips during the four-day event Floating Classroom Program Highlights Chinook Salmon Lifecycle the Feather River in Oroville is home to adult Chinook salmon that have returned to their natural spawning grounds to complete their lifecycle and start the next generation This infusion of thousands of salmon offers a prime opportunity for public education with classes held on the river instead of within the four walls of a school Through the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Feather River Floating Classroom Program people of all ages are learning about the salmon lifecycle and critical ongoing conservation efforts and research in the Feather River.  Developed by environmental scientists within DWR’s Division of Integrated Science and Engineering (DISE) the Feather River Floating Classroom Program has held various forms over the last decade For many years public tours were offered solely during the City of Oroville’s Salmon Festival With the program’s growing popularity DWR is now supporting dozens of free tours for local schools and public members during the fall spawning season “The floating classroom program is so important because it gives people an opportunity to have a connection to their local environment,” said Michelle Pepping “We’re building that bridge from the environment directly to the community and sharing information about the salmon’s life history and the work DWR does on the river to benefit salmon.” The 2024 fall-run spawning season marked the first year in which DWR sponsored dozens of free tours to local schools and members of the public, with support from the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Thermalito Union Elementary School District While the Feather River Floating Classroom program has concluded for the season DWR’s efforts continue year-round to study salmon and enhance the Feather River habitat and help Chinook Salmon populations thrive The Feather River Floating Classroom program will resume with the return of fall-run Chinook salmon Read more about the Feather River Floating Classroom program on DWR’s website and watch our YouTube video Lake Oroville is at 835 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.52 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 74 percent of its total capacity and 129 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 1,100 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 1,750 cfs downstream Water Control Manual Update Informational Meeting Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sacramento District will host a public meeting on October 15 to share information regarding water control manual updates for New Bullards Bar and Oroville Dams The meeting will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m at the Sutter County Veterans Memorial Building at 1425 Veterans Memorial Circle in Yuba City USACE will present information on the water control manual update process audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the update process Comment cards will also be available to submit questions or comments.  Water Control Manuals are the operational procedures that guide storm-season operations to ensure dam owners comply with federal rules related to flood management for the protection of downstream communities Updates to the Water Control Manuals for Oroville and New Bullards Bar are being considered to reflect recent improvements to forecasting and coordinated operations between the two reservoirs California Prepares for Extreme Weather Swings The Department of Water Resources (DWR) previewed the new Water Year which started October 1 by highlighting preparations for more extreme weather events this season following a record hot summer across much of California and a looming La Niña pattern climate extremes have posed significant challenges to water managers especially the extreme hot and dry conditions that frequently persist well past summer months and into the fall California is seeing that right now with above-average temperatures forecast into October and no rain in the current forecast the water that California does receive will arrive from more powerful storms and hotter temperatures will mean less winter precipitation falls as snow and more will arrive as rain While Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently 98 percent of average, the latest outlook from NOAA’s Climate Predication Center shows a 71 percent chance of La Niña conditions emerging this fall While seven of the 10 La Niña events this century resulted in dry years research also suggests that even as the climate grows hotter and drier overall the precipitation that California does receive will arrive in stronger storms More information about new Water Year preparations is available in DWR’s press release DWR had a great time supporting the City of Oroville’s Salmon Festival celebrating the migration of native Chinook salmon in the Feather River Thank you to everyone who stopped by our educational booth and took a free tour of the Feather River Fish Hatchery DWR staff estimated that approximately 600 children and adults participated in DWR-led tours of the Hatchery where Chinook salmon and steelhead are raised to improve fisheries populations throughout the state DWR also partnered with the Oroville State Theater to showcase videos about efforts to support vital salmon habitat restoration, fisheries health, and population growth. To learn more about what DWR is doing year-round to support Feather River fish populations, visit our Storymap webpage and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities for Chinook salmon and steelhead DWR, State Parks, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage Lake Oroville is at 777 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.86 million acre-feet (MAF) which is 54 percent of its total capacity and 98 percent of the historical average Feather River flows are at 800 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 4,200 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 5,000 cfs downstream Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov.