October 25, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateDWR Joins Law Enforcement and Government Partners at Oroville’s Trunk-R-Treat Safety Fair
At the invitation of Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea, DWR’s Oroville Field Division will again participate in the annual Halloween “Trunk-R-Treat Safety Fair” at the Nelson Sports Complex from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on October 31. The event, organized by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, provides a safe space for local children and families to celebrate Halloween. Public safety vehicles from local law enforcement and government agencies, decorated with Halloween themes, will have staff ready to hand out treats from trunks full of donated candy to the hundreds of trick-or-treaters and their families who enjoy this annual, festive event.
Fuel Load Management Project at Bidwell Canyon Requires Intermittent Lane Closure
The California Conservation Corps (CCC) will continue to work on a vegetation thinning and chipping project to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire near the Bidwell Canyon day use area through November 1. The work will take place adjacent to Bidwell Canyon Road just before the Bidwell Canyon California State Parks entrance kiosk. At the end of each week, CCC’s chipping of removed brush will require one-way traffic controls due to a required lane closure. Drivers are cautioned to be alert for workers and flaggers.
Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment Ad Hoc Group Meeting Held Earlier This Month
The Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) Ad Hoc Group met on Wednesday, October 16 at 2 p.m. The goal of the Oroville Dam CNA is to identify priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. The primary role of the Ad Hoc Group is to communicate with the broader community about the CNA process and share community concerns or questions with DWR and the Independent Review Board.
For details about this meeting or past Oroville Dam CNA Ad Hoc meetings, visit: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project/Oroville-Dam-Safety-Comprehensive-Needs-Assessment.
Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road
As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction.
Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lake Level
The elevation of Oroville reservoir is 790 feet and storage is 2.08 million acre-feet. There is no rainfall in the 5-day forecast for the Feather River watershed and daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,660 cfs to 2,490 cfs over the past week. Water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 4,637 cfs and will vary throughout the week based upon power generation schedules.  Water from the lake is being used locally for rice decomposition and waterfowl habitat, and released to meet environmental and flow requirements in the Feather River as well as downstream in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  The releases to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet, are 2,490 cfs.
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October 18, 2019Lake Oroville Community Update2019-2020 Operations Plan for Lake Oroville
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted its 2019-2020 flood operations plan for Lake Oroville to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) last month. DWR will operate the reservoir to safely manage lake levels during the winter months, providing flood protection for downstream communities while meeting downstream water deliveries and environmental requirements. Because the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) is still ongoing, this year’s operations plan maintains the same enhanced flood pool as the 2018-2019 winter operations plan. The CNA will provide additional information to guide long-term operations of Oroville Reservoir.
Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) Ad Hoc Group Meeting Held Earlier This Week
An Oroville Dam CNA Ad Hoc meeting took place on Wednesday, October 16 at 2 p.m. The goal of the Oroville Dam CNA is to identify priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. The primary role of the Ad Hoc Group is to communicate with the broader community about the CNA process and share community concerns or questions with DWR and the Independent Review Board.
For details about this meeting or past Oroville Dam CNA Ad Hoc meetings, visit: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project/Oroville-Dam-Safety-Comprehensive-Needs-Assessment
Loafer Creek Controlled Burn Conducted Earlier This Week
On Tuesday, October 15, firefighters conducted a controlled burn at Loafer Creek in order to reduce future fire hazard and improve natural habitat and rangeland. Approximately 100 acres was treated. This work was a cooperative effort between CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department, DWR and the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Fuel Load Management Project at Bidwell Canyon Requires Intermittent Lane Closure
The California Conservation Corps (CCC) began a vegetation thinning and chipping project to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire on Monday, October 14, and will continue through November 1. The work will take place adjacent to Bidwell Canyon Road just before the Bidwell Canyon California State Parks entrance kiosk. At the end of each week, CCC’s chipping of removed brush will require one-way traffic controls due to a required lane closure. Drivers are cautioned to be alert for workers and flaggers.
Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road
As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lake Level
The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 792 feet, and daily average water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 1,580 cubic feet per second (cfs) including 2,450 cfs release to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet.
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Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to [email protected].

​For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net

October 11, 2019Lake Oroville Community Update2019-2020 Operations Plan for Lake Oroville
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted its 2019-2020 flood operations plan for Lake Oroville to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) last week. DWR will operate the reservoir to safely manage lake levels during the winter months, providing flood protection for downstream communities while meeting downstream water deliveries and environmental requirements. Due to the fact that the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) is still ongoing, this year’s operations plan maintains the same enhanced flood pool as the 2018-2019 winter operations plan. The CNA will provide additional information to guide long-term operations of Oroville Reservoir.
Water Year 2020 Begins with Robust Reservoir Storage
California’s new water year began on Oct. 1 with significantly more water in storage than the previous year thanks to above-average snow and precipitation across the state. Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently at 102 percent of average for this time of year compared to just 62 percent of average at this time last year.
The water year runs from October 1 to September 30. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/October-19/Water-Year-2020-Begins-with-Robust-Reservoir-Storage
Inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Held Last Month
Thank you to everyone who participated in the inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Monday, September 30. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks.
For details about the Commission’s next meeting and for more information about the commission, visit: http://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/.
Spillway Construction Site Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook        
As construction winds down at the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated in early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for at least two months. Public parking at the Upper Overlook will not be impacted.
Fuel Load Management Project at Bidwell Canyon Requires Intermittent Lane Closure
The California Conservation Corps (CCC) will begin a vegetation thinning and chipping project to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire Monday, October 14 through November 1. The work will take place adjacent to Bidwell Canyon Road just before the Bidwell Canyon CA State Parks entrance kiosk. At the end of each week, CCC chipping of removed brush will require one-way traffic controls due to a required lane closure. Drivers are cautioned to be alert for workers and flaggers.
Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road
As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction.
Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lake Level
The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 793 feet, and daily average water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 4,660 cubic feet per second (cfs) including 8,000 cfs release to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. DWR has begun a gradual ramping down of these releases to the Feather River during the first half of October to achieve a sustainable spawning flow of 2,500 cfs by mid-month.
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Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to [email protected].

​For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net

October 4, 2019Lake Oroville Community Update2019-2020 Operations Plan for Lake Oroville
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted its plan for 2019-2020 flood operations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) this week. DWR will operate the reservoir to safely manage lake levels during the winter months, providing flood protection for downstream communities while meeting downstream water deliveries and environmental requirements. The 2019-2020 plan is to operate the same enhanced flood pool as the winter operations plan that was put in place for the 2018-2019 winter season.
Inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Held Last Week
Thank you to everyone who participated in the inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Monday, September 30. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks.
For details about the Commission’s next meeting and for more information about the commission, visit: http://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/.
CAL FIRE to Conduct Controlled Burn at Loafer Creek Recreation Area
CAL FIRE may perform a controlled burn at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area’s Loafer Creek facility on Monday, October 7. If executed, the controlled burn will strategically reduce future wildfire risk for a total of 105 acres.
Spillway Construction Site Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook        
As construction winds down at the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated in early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for at least two months. Public parking at the Upper Overlook will not be impacted.
Fuel Load Management Project Receives Four-Legged Help
More than 500 goats and sheep will assist DWR to maintain a fuel reduction project on the steep hillsides around Lime Saddle’s Parrish Cove for approximately 4-8 days beginning Oct. 1. Grazing is gaining popularity as a sustainable method to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire through vegetation management. The grazing area will be cordoned off by an electric fence and warning signs will be posted for public safety. Shepherds will be present to protect animals, and the public is urged to stay clear of the electric fence and keep pets away so the goats and sheep are not disturbed.
Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road
As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction.
Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday, as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Lake Level
As of Friday, the current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 799 feet, and daily average water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 7,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) including 8,000 cfs release to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. DWR has begun a gradual ramping down of these Feather River releases during the first half of October to achieve a sustainable spawning flow of 2500 cfs by mid-month.
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Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to [email protected].

For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net