 June 26, 2020
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area Opens Individual and Horse Campgrounds California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) announced camping is available at all individual family campsites at the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA), including equestrian campgrounds at Loafer Creek. Floating campsites and group campsites are not currently available to reduce the spread of COVID-19. To make a reservation, visit www.ReserveCalifornia.com or call 800-444-7275. For more information about camping, visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping. CA Parks encourages visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household. The state now requires face coverings indoors and outdoors when you cannot maintain a safe 6-foot distance from people outside of your immediate household. Additional information regarding public health practices and requirements is available on the LOSRA webpage. Lake Oroville and the North and South Forebay boat ramps, parking lots, and day use areas are open. The Oroville Dam Spillway Boat Ramp area is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. with other Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) boat ramps open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trails and Day Use Areas are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. The Lake Oroville Visitors Center remains closed to protect public health. Information and an interactive map of Lake Oroville recreation facilities is available on the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. Oroville to Celebrate Fourth of July with Fireworks Display The City of Oroville’s Noon Rotary Club fireworks will begin at approximately 9 p.m. on July Fourth and will be launched from the Oroville Airport. Viewers are encouraged to observe the show from their homes, if possible, or higher locations throughout the City and surrounding area. Participants must abide by physical distancing and face covering requirements to protect public health – especially if unable to maintain a six-foot distance from others not in your household. Information can be found on the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce website. A Red Flag (severe fire danger) Warning from the National Weather Service for July Fourth will cancel the display. DWR Water Education Program Educates Youth Online This Summer Missing Summer Camp? Join DWR virtual Summer Camp starting the week of July 29. As part of the virtual Summer Camp, DWR Staff will be providing fun activities relating to each Water Wednesday’s video, starting with “Home Sweet Home: Where the Native Fish Roam”. The family-friendly programs are designed for kids 10 to 14 but are appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about California’s water resources. Each video is available on DWR’s YouTube channel and a listing of all the program’s episodes can be found by clicking the Playlists tab. Activity suggestions and information can be found in the video’s comment section as they are added each week. ‘New’ Trails Around Thermalito Diversion Pool Trails on the north side of the Thermalito Diversion Pool, previously closed for the Oroville Dam Spillways Reconstruction Project, are open for hikers and bikers. Visitors are now able to travel from Burma Road to the Spillway Boat Ramp area and North Fork Trails. Partnering with CA Parks, DWR has improved and re-aligned trails in the area, both on the north and south sides of the Diversion Pool, including sections of the Brad Freeman Trail. This trail ‘switchbacks’ up a new hill made from rock and dirt left over from the spillways project, providing beautiful views of the Valley, Table Mountain, and the Diversion Pool. On the south side of the Diversion Pool, DWR constructed a new trail access parking lot west of the Kelly Ridge Power Plant. The graveled parking lot is accessible from Oro Powerhouse Road (off Oro Dam Boulevard East) and provides access to hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities. Boating is not allowed in this upstream area of the Diversion Pool, but boating is allowed on the Diversion Pool further downstream, with access from the Burma Road car-top boat launch off of Cherokee Road. Boating is limited to kayaks, canoes, and other non-gas-powered boats. Oroville Area Algal Blooms Status DWR environmental scientists regularly monitor Lake Oroville, the Thermalito North Forebay, and the Thermalito Afterbay for blue-green algae and their toxins. There are currently no Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) advisories for Lake Oroville, the Thermalito Forebay, or the Thermalito Afterbay. If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found, DWR staff work with California’s Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. To learn more about HABs, visit the Water Board’s website. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 802 feet and storage is about 2.22 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,279 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,481 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions and very warm temperatures continue this weekend and into the week of June 29. The Northern Sierra Basin rainfall totals remains below average for the year, at 63 percent of normal of year. Recently DWR increased flows through the City of Oroville from 650 cfs to 1,250 cfs for fisheries purposes. During the week of June 29, flows through the City of Oroville will be reduced from 1,250 cfs to 650 over the course of a couple of days. As flows are reduced through the City of Oroville, flows from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) will be increased to 2,650 cfs. The total release to the Feather River’s high flow channel downstream of the Outlet will remain at 3,300 cfs to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. All data as of midnight 6/25/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. June 19, 2020
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area Lake Oroville and the North and South Forebay boat ramps, parking lots, and day use areas are open. The Oroville Dam Spillway Boat Ramp area is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. with other Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) boat ramps open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trails and Day Use Areas are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Lake Oroville recreation information is available on the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Lake Oroville Recreation webpage and the LOSRA webpage. California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) staff are working closely with Butte County health officials to develop procedures to open LOSRA campgrounds this summer. All campgrounds - including floating campsites, and the Lake Oroville Visitors Center remain closed to protect public health. CA Parks encourages visitors to maintain a physical distance of six feet or more and that gatherings, picnics, and parties are not allowed if physical distancing cannot be maintained. State health officials now require face coverings outdoors when you cannot maintain a safe 6-foot distance from others who are not members of your household. Visit the “State Parks COVID-19 Resource Center” website or the Butte County website for additional information on how to protect public health. ‘New’ Trails Around Thermalito Diversion Pool Trails on the north side of the Thermalito Diversion Pool, previously closed for the Oroville Dam Spillways Reconstruction Project, are open for hikers and bikers. Visitors are now able to travel from Burma Road to the Spillway Boat Ramp area and North Fork Trails. Partnering with CA Parks, DWR has improved and re-aligned trails in the area, both on the north and south sides of the Diversion Pool, including sections of the Brad Freeman Trail where visitors will ‘switchback’ up a new hill made from rock and dirt left over from the spillways project, providing beautiful views of the Valley, Table Mountain, and the Diversion Pool. On the south side of the Diversion Pool, DWR constructed a new trail access parking lot west of the Kelly Ridge Power Plant. The graveled parking lot is accessible from Oro Powerhouse Road (off Oro Dam Boulevard East) and provides access to hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities. Boating is not allowed in this upstream area of the Diversion Pool, but boating is allowed on the Diversion Pool further downstream, with access from the Burma Road car-top boat launch off of Cherokee Road. Boating is limited to kayaks, canoes, and other non-gas-powered boats. Oroville to Celebrate Fourth of July with Fireworks Display The City of Oroville’s Noon Rotary Club fireworks will begin at approximately 9 p.m. and will be launched from the Oroville Airport. Viewers are encouraged to observe the show from their homes, if possible, or higher locations throughout the City and surrounding area. Viewers are also encouraged to abide by physical distancing and face covering requirements to protect public health, especially if unable to maintain a six-foot distance from others not in your household. Information can be found on the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce website. Oroville Area Algal Blooms Status DWR environmental scientists regularly monitor Lake Oroville, the Thermalito North Forebay, and the Thermalito Afterbay for blue-green algae and their toxins. There are currently no Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) advisories for Lake Oroville, the Thermalito Forebay, or the Thermalito Afterbay. If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found, DWR staff work with California’s Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. To learn more about HABs, visit the Water Board’s website. Online Water Education Program Goes Live on DWR YouTube Channel Join us for Water Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on DWR’s YouTube channel. These family-friendly programs are designed for kids 10 to 14 but are appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about California’s water resources. Recent and upcoming ‘episodes’ discuss where our water comes from: reservoirs, snowpack, and groundwater. Interested participants can pre-register through Zoom; this will allow participants to pose questions to that week’s speaker. Visit the DWR Events webpage at https://water.ca.gov/News/Events to join next Wednesday’s chat. Information will also be posted on DWR’s social media pages at @CA_DWR (Twitter) and @CADWR (Facebook). Previous episodes of Water Wednesdays are available on DWR’s YouTube channel. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 808 feet and storage is about 2.2 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 98 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 1,745 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions and warm temperatures are forecasted this weekend with continued dry conditions and warm temperatures during the week of June 22. The Northern Sierra Basin rainfall totals remains below average for the year, at 31.7 percent of normal of year. On Thursday, June 18, and on Friday, June 19, DWR increased the flow by 300 cfs each day through the City of Oroville to 1,250 cfs for fisheries purposes. The flow released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) will be at 2,050 cfs. The total release to the Feather River’s high flow channel downstream of the Outlet remains at 3,300 cfs to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. All data as of midnight 6/19/20 For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  June 12, 2020
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) boat ramps, parking lots, and day use areas are open. The Oroville Dam Spillway Boat Ramp area is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. with other LOSRA boat ramps open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trails and Day Use Areas are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Lake Oroville recreation information is available on the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Lake Oroville Recreation webpage and the LOSRA webpage. The Thermalito Diversion Pool and the North Forebay Recreation Area are also open to the public. Additionally, the Oroville Wildlife Area, including the Thermalito Afterbay, recently changed its operating hours to 1.5 hours before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Other local recreation facilities are also open, including both the Bidwell Canyon and Lake Oroville (Lime Saddle) Marinas and the Forebay Aquatic Center at the North Forebay Recreation Area which is open Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for boat, kayak, and other aquatic equipment rentals. California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) staff are working closely with Butte County health officials to develop procedures to open LOSRA campgrounds this summer. At this time, all campgrounds - including floating campsites, and the Lake Oroville Visitors Center remain closed to protect public health. CA Parks encourages visitors to maintain a physical distance of six feet or more and that gatherings, picnics, and parties are not allowed if physical distancing cannot be maintained. Local health officials also recommend face coverings, especially when you cannot maintain a safe 6-foot distance from others. Please visit the “State Parks Covid-19 Resource Center” website or the Butte County website for additional information on how to protect public health. DWR and Partners Reduce Fire Risk DWR has successfully completed their 2019-2020 fuels reduction season. Approximately 180 acres around the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary was treated through DWR’s Fuel Load Management Program (FLMP). The FLMP, administered by DWR in coordination with federal, state, and local fire and resources management agencies, aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Work typically starts in the fall when rainy weather arrives and continues through the winter and spring months. Treatment methods such as thinning, pile burning, grazing, lop and scatter, and prescribed burning are used to achieve fuels reduction. DWR and partners CAL FIRE, California Conservation Corps, Butte County Sheriff Office, Butte County Fire Safe Council, and private contractors are currently developing plans to start work again this fall when weather conditions allow. Oroville Area Algal Blooms Status DWR environmental scientists regularly monitor Lake Oroville, the Thermalito North Forebay, and the Thermalito Afterbay for blue-green algae and their toxins. There are currently no Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) advisories for Lake Oroville, the Thermalito Forebay, or the Thermalito Afterbay. If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found, DWR staff work with California’s Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. To learn more about HABs, visit the Water Board’s website. Online Water Education Program Goes Live on DWR YouTube Channel Join us for Water Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on DWR’s YouTube channel. These family-friendly programs are designed for kids 10 to 14 but are appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about California’s water resources. Recent and upcoming ‘episodes’ discuss where our water comes from: reservoirs, snowpack and groundwater. Interested participants can pre-register through Zoom; this will allow participants to pose questions to that week’s speaker. Visit the DWR Events webpage at https://water.ca.gov/News/Events to join next Wednesday’s chat. Information will also be posted on DWR’s social media pages at @CA_DWR (Twitter) and @CADWR (Facebook). Previous episodes of Water Wednesdays are available on DWR’s YouTube channel. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 813 feet and storage is about 2.35 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,597 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,487 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions and mild temperatures are forecasted this weekend with continued dry conditions and warming temperatures during the week of June 15. The Northern Sierra Basin rainfall totals remains below average for the year, at 63 percent of normal, and snowpack is significantly below average, measuring 7 percent of normal for this time of year. On Thursday, June 11, the total releases to Feather River were increased from 3,000 cfs to 3,300 cfs to meet downstream Bay-Delta water quality and flow standards. Flows through the City of Oroville are about 650 cfs and flows from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) are about 2,650 cfs to achieve 3,300 cfs for the Feather River’s high flow channel downstream of the Outlet. All data as of midnight 6/11/20 For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net June 5, 2020
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area Resumes Summer Hours Lake Oroville boat ramp areas are now open along with all Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) facility parking lots and day use areas. While the Oroville Dam Spillway Boat Ramp area is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., remaining Lake Oroville boat ramps are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Trails and Day Use Areas are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Lake Oroville recreation information is available on the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Lake Oroville Recreation webpage and the LOSRA webpage. The Bidwell Canyon and Lake Oroville (Lime Saddle) Marinas are open providing shuttle service, restrooms, and fuel. The Thermalito Diversion Pool and the North Forebay Recreation Area are also open to the public. The Forebay Aquatic Center at the North Forebay facility is now open Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for boat, kayak, and other aquatic equipment rentals. LOSRA campgrounds, including floating campsites, and the Lake Oroville Visitors Center remain closed to protect public health. California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) encourages visitors to maintain a physical distance of six feet or more, to keep moving, and to be mindful of congestion on one-way trails. Gatherings, picnics, and parties are not allowed if social distancing cannot be maintained. The Butte County Health Officer recommends face coverings, especially when you cannot maintain a safe 6-foot distance from others. Information on LOSRA facility status can be obtained on the “State Parks Covid-19 Resource Center” website. Information on local health requirements can be found at http://www.buttecounty.net/publichealth/buttereopens. Siren Testing at Oroville Dam Sirens at Oroville Dam will be tested on Tuesday, June 9. This test begins monthly soundings at noon every second Tuesday of the month lasting for three minutes. The 121-decibel level sounding will be audible to neighboring residents, to motorists on Oro Dam Boulevard East, and to visitors of recreation areas around Oroville Dam – including the Diversion Pool, Spillway Boat Ramp area and Oroville Dam Crest Road. The sirens are in place to notify persons near Oroville Dam’s main spillway when water releases are about to begin. Monthly testing allows DWR to confirm the sirens' operational status. Algal Blooms in Lake Oroville’s North and Middle Forks Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is a natural component of ecosystems. Under certain conditions, including warmer temperatures and increased nutrient loads, algae can grow rapidly causing “blooms.” Algal blooms sometimes produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals. DWR environmental scientists regularly monitor Lake Oroville, the Thermalito North Forebay, and the Thermalito Afterbay for blue-green algae and their toxins. Algal blooms have been found in the upper reaches of Lake Oroville’s North and Middle Forks. Recent water samples sent for analysis tested negative. There are currently no Harmful Algal Bloom advisories for Lake Oroville, the Thermalito Forebay, or the Thermalito Afterbay. If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found, DWR staff work with California’s Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. To learn more about harmful algal blooms (HABs), visit the Water Board’s website. Online Water Education Program Goes Live on DWR YouTube Channel Join us for Water Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on DWR’s YouTube channel. These family-friendly programs are designed for kids 10 to 14 but are appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about California’s water resources. The first five topics feature Delta wildlife including fish, plankton, birds, reptiles, and invasive species. Interested participants can pre-register through Zoom which will allow posting of questions to that week’s speaker. Visit the DWR Events webpage at https://water.ca.gov/News/Events to join next Wednesday’s chat. Information will also be posted on DWR’s social media pages at @CA_DWR (Twitter) and @CADWR (Facebook). Previous episodes of Water Wednesdays are available on DWR’s YouTube channel. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 817.9 feet and storage is about 2.40 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,312 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,814 cfs over the past week. Temperatures are forecasted to cool this weekend with a chance of rain in the Feather River Basin. During the week of June 8, temperatures are expected to warm with dry conditions. The Northern Sierra Basin rainfall totals remains below average for the year, at 63 percent of normal, and snowpack is significantly below average, measuring 5 percent of normal for this time of year. On Monday June 1, the total releases to Feather River were increased from 2,500 cfs to 3,000 cfs to meet downstream Bay-Delta water quality and flow standards. In addition, on June 2, DWR increased flow through the City of Oroville to 950 cfs for fisheries purposes. Flows from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet (Outlet) are about 2,050 to achieve 3,000 cfs for the Feather River’s high flow channel downstream of the Outlet. All data as of midnight 6/4/20 For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net May 29, 2020
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area Resumes Summer Hours Lake Oroville boat ramp areas are open for summer hours 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. along with all Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) facility parking lots and day use areas. The Bidwell Canyon and Lake Oroville (Lime Saddle) Marinas are currently providing shuttle service, restrooms, and fuel. The Thermalito Diversion Pool and the North Forebay Recreation Area are also open to the public. The Forebay Aquatic Center at the North Forebay facility is scheduled to open June 5, 2020 for boat and kayak rentals. LOSRA campgrounds, including floating campsites, and the Lake Oroville Visitors Center remain closed to protect public health. California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) encourages visitors to maintain a physical distance of six feet or more, to keep moving, and to be mindful of congestion on one-way trails. Gatherings, picnics, and parties are not allowed if social distancing cannot be maintained. The Butte County Health Officer recommends face coverings, especially when you cannot maintain a safe 6-foot distance from others. Information on LOSRA facility status can be obtained on the CA Parks “Flatten the Curve at State Parks” website. Information on local health requirements can be found at http://www.buttecounty.net/publichealth/buttereopens. ‘New’ Trails Around Thermalito Diversion Pool Partnering with CA Parks, Department of Water Resources (DWR) trails on the north side of the Thermalito Diversion Pool, previously closed for the Oroville Dam Spillways Reconstruction Project, are now open to the public, allowing continuity for hikers and bikers from Burma Road to the Spillway Boat Ramp area and North Fork Trails. Sections of the area’s Brad Freeman Trail northwest of the Thermalito Diversion Dam have been re-aligned, regaining continuity from Cherokee Road to the Diversion Pool. Continuing along this reconstructed trail, visitors will ‘switchback’ up a new hill made from rock and dirt left over from the spillways project, providing beautiful views of the Valley, Table Mountain, and the Diversion Pool. On the south side of the Diversion Pool, hikers and bikers will enjoy a new alignment of the Brad Freeman Trail. DWR also constructed a new trail access parking lot near the south side of the Diversion Pool, west of the Kelly Ridge Power Plant. The graveled parking lot is accessible from Oro Powerhouse Road (off Oro Dam Boulevard East) and provides access to hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities. Boating is not allowed in this upstream area of the Diversion Pool, but boating is allowed on the Diversion Pool further downstream, with access from the Burma Road car-top boat launch off of Cherokee Road. Boating is limited to kayaks, canoes, and other non-gas-powered boats. Visitors are encouraged to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by maintaining a 6-foot distance from others, wearing face coverings, and bringing your own soap for hand washing as well as alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available. Anglers Finding Success at Oroville Fishing Spots As access to area waterbodies is restored, fishing enthusiasts are returning to favorite fishing locations around Lake Oroville as well as the Thermalito Diversion Pool, Forebay and Afterbay. While most practice ‘catch and release’, a local angler saved his catch in order to officially confirm the weight of the 25.25-pound rainbow trout he landed at his favorite fishing hole. Anglers are reminded to comply with all CA Fish and Wildlife requirements, including possession of a current fishing license. Information about sport fishing licenses can be found here. Algal Blooms in Lake Oroville’s North and Middle Forks Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is a natural component of ecosystems. Under certain conditions, including warmer temperatures and increased nutrient loads, algae can grow rapidly causing “blooms.” Algal blooms sometimes produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals. DWR environmental scientists regularly monitor Lake Oroville, the Thermalito North Forebay, and the Thermalito Afterbay for blue-green algae and their toxins. Algal blooms have been found in the upper reaches of Lake Oroville’s North and Middle Forks. Recent water samples sent for analysis tested negative. There are currently no Harmful Algal Bloom advisories for Lake Oroville, the Thermalito Forebay, or the Thermalito Afterbay. If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found, DWR staff work with California’s Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. To learn more about harmful algal blooms (HABs), visit the Water Board’s website. Online Water Education Program Goes Live on DWR YouTube Channel Join us for Water Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on DWR’s YouTube channel. These family-friendly programs are designed for kids 10 to 14 but are appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about California’s water resources. The first five topics feature Delta wildlife including fish, plankton, birds, reptiles, and invasive species. Interested participants can pre-register through Zoom which will allow posting of questions to that week’s speaker. Visit the DWR Events webpage at https://water.ca.gov/News/Events to join next Wednesday’s chat. Information will also be posted on DWR’s social media pages at @CA_DWR (Twitter) and @CADWR (Facebook). The previous May episodes of Water Wednesdays are available on DWR’s YouTube channel. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 820.9 feet and storage is about 2.43 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,934 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 3,235 cfs over the past week. Temperatures are forecasted to cool, and up to 0.5 inches of precipitation are expected this weekend in the Feather River Basin. During the week of June 1, there is a slight chance of precipitation and warmer temperatures. The Northern Sierra Basin rainfall totals remains below average for the year, at 63 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 14 percent of normal for this time of year. Feather River flows were increased 450 cfs from 2, 050 cfs to 2,500 cfs on Friday, May 29, to meet downstream water quality and flow standards. Flows through the City of Oroville remain about 650 cfs and flows from the Thermalito River Outlet are about 1,850 cfs. All data as of midnight 5/29/20 For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net May 15, 2020
Oroville Field Division Work Continues Oroville Field Division (OFD) staff continue to carry out essential duties including operations of Oroville Dam and affiliated power plants, facility maintenance, and monitoring activities. Following guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OFD has made several changes in response to the dynamic public health emergency including social distancing, telework, and increased sanitary precautions for staff. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kills viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible, and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Lake Oroville State Recreation Area Opens Select Recreation Facilities Following Governor Gavin Newsom’s direction on moving the state into Stage 2 of the COVID-19 Re-Opening Plan, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) has opened portions of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) to the public. Beginning May 15, Lake Oroville boat launch areas will be open during normal hours along with all LOSRA facility parking lots and day use areas. The Bidwell Canyon and Lake Oroville (Lime Saddle) Marinas are anticipated to open Monday, May 18. The Thermalito Diversion Pool and the North Forebay Recreation Area are also open to the public. The Forebay Aquatic Center at the North Forebay facility will open in early June for boat and kayak rentals. LOSRA trails continue to be open for hikers and bikers, including the newly reconstructed Brad Freeman trail from the Thermalito Diversion Pool to the Spillway Boat Ramp area. Equestrian and multi-use trails are also open. LOSRA campgrounds, including floating campsites, and the Lake Oroville Visitors Center remain closed. CA Parks encourages visitors to maintain a physical distance of six feet or more, to keep moving, and to be mindful of congestion on one-way trails. Gatherings, picnics, and parties are not allowed. The Butte County Health Officer recommends face coverings when indoors or when you cannot maintain a safe 6-foot distance from others. Information on LOSRA facility status can be obtained on the CA Parks “Flatten the Curve at State Parks” website. Information on local health requirements can be found at http://www.buttecounty.net/publichealth/buttereopens. USFS Opens Boat Ramps at Upper Feather River Lakes As the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) begins their gradual opening of facilities, the boat launch ramps at the State Water Project facilities of Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis, and Antelope Lake in Plumas County are now open, however, campgrounds remain closed. For information on Forest Service facilities, find your national forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/. CAL FIRE to Reduce Fire Fuels in the Oroville Wildlife Area CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department, in cooperation with California Department of Fish and Wildlife and California Department of Water Resources will burn 30 acres of grassland at the Rabe Road Shooting Range south of the Oroville Airport on Wednesday, May 20. This important vegetation management project (VMP) burn will clear the area around the shooting range of thick grass that could easily ignite if left to grow. The project also offers valuable training for firefighters in preparation for what could be a busy fire season. The shooting range will be closed to the public all day Wednesday and smoke from this control burn will be highly visible during the morning hours near the Oroville Airport and the Thermalito Afterbay. Online Water Education Program Goes Live on DWR YouTube Channel Join us for Water Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on DWR’s YouTube channel. These family-friendly programs are designed for kids 10 to 14 but are appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about California’s water resources. The first five topics feature Delta wildlife including fish, plankton, birds, reptiles, and invasive species. Interested participants can pre-register through Zoom which will allow posting of questions to that week’s speaker. Visit the DWR Events webpage at https://water.ca.gov/News/Events to join next Wednesday’s chat. Information will also be posted on DWR’s social media pages at @CA_DWR (Twitter) and @CADWR (Facebook). The May 13 episode of Water Wednesdays is available on DWR’s YouTube channel. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 820 feet and storage is about 2.43 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,784 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 10,023 cfs over the past week. Continued rainfall is expected this weekend into the week of May 18. There is about 1 to 2 inches of rainfall forecasted in the Feather River watershed. Currently in the Northern Sierra Basin rainfall is below average, at 58 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 15 percent of normal for this time of year. On Monday, May 11, total releases to the Feather River were increased from 1,550 cfs to 2,050 cfs to meet downstream Bay-Delta water quality and flow standards. Flows through the City of Oroville are about 650 cfs and the flows are about 1,400 cfs below the Thermalito River Outlet. All data as of midnight 5/14/20 For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  The following is an update from California State Parks.
UPDATE (May 15, 2020) - As California State Parks begins its phased reopening of parks and beaches in compliance with state and local public health ordinances, it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household. Everyone has the responsibility to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Here are some guidelines for people visiting Lake Oroville SRA. What is open now? Lake Oroville State Recreation Area is now open for day-use vehicular access which includes parking lots, boat launches and trails. Bidwell Canyon and Lake Oroville Marinas are preparing to reopen on Monday, May 18. Until then, vessel fueling, pump-out, and shuttle services will not be available. Due to ongoing concerns for the spread of COVID-19, some services will continue to be restricted or suspended for an undetermined time. Please contact the appropriate Marina for the most current information and please plan your visit accordingly. Bidwell Canyon Marina (530) 589-9175 www.bidwellcanyonmarina.com Lake Oroville Marina (530) 877-2883 www.lakeorovillemarina.com What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
Are there any new visitor guidelines? Yes, please see below:
Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.  COVID-19 Exposure Reduction Recommendations for Oroville Businesses
The City of Oroville supports a strong, vibrant and healthy business community. In order to reduce virus exposure, businesses and every resident are crucial partners who can voluntarily implement appropriate exposure reduction measures within the community. Implementing does not exempt a non-essential business from having to comply with the Governor’s orders. The Centers for Disease Control provides guidance for businesses at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html to plan and respond to the virus. The City desires to partner with businesses and encourage prudent protective behaviors, with the goal of avoiding further restrictions having to be leveled from government authorities. Thus, for Oroville businesses and individuals, it is recommended that the following measures be implemented.
May 1, 2020
Oroville Field Division Work Continues Oroville Field Division (OFD) staff continue to carry out essential duties including operations of Oroville Dam and affiliated power plants, facility maintenance, and monitoring activities. Following guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OFD has made several changes in response to the dynamic public health emergency including social distancing, telework, and increased sanitary precautions for staff. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kills viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible, and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Oroville and Upper Feather River Lakes Closures Update As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the recreation facilities associated with the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area have been closed, as well as the Lake Oroville Visitors Center and public access to the Feather River Fish Hatchery. The U.S. Forest Service closed all developed recreation sites indefinitely including boat launch facilities and campgrounds at the State Water Project facilities of Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis, and Antelope Lake in Plumas County. For information on Forest Service facilities, find your national forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/. Information regarding the status of California Department of Parks and Recreation facilities can be found at “Flatten the Curve at State Parks”. Information regarding the Oroville Wildlife Area, including the Thermalito Afterbay, can be found at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Oroville-WA or by calling (916) 358-2900. Video Allows Students to Experience Juvenile Steelhead Trout Release The Classroom Aquarium Education Program (CAEP) provides aquarium tanks and Steelhead eggs from Oroville Dam’s Feather River Fish Hatchery to local classrooms to educate students about the fish life-cycle, their importance to the ecology of the Feather River, and the importance of protecting habitats for native fish. Students raise the fish from eggs and observe their development into juvenile fish (fry) able to swim and survive on their own. The students’ much-anticipated spring field trips to release the fry into the river had to be canceled because of COVID-19 pandemic school closures. Department of Water Resources (DWR) staff and Pacific States Marine Fisheries contractor Jada Simone-Wright arranged for the collection of the growing fry from participating, but closed, classrooms. The group also arranged for DWR public affairs staff to film the release of the fish into Feather River at Oroville’s Riverbend Park. Students can now virtually experience the Program’s success. The video is available for viewing at https://youtu.be/9zoBn38OTSg. The CAEP – formerly called “Eggs in the Classroom” – educational outreach tool is a decades-long collaboration between DWR, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and local schools and non-profits in the Butte County area to support greater awareness of the unique population management challenges for the Feather River’s Steelhead trout and Spring-run Chinook salmon. View the CAEP webpage for more information. View DWR’s article for more details about the trout release. California Conservation Corps Erecting Fish Habitat Structures at Loafer Creek Trees removed for construction of a new boat launch ramp at Loafer Point will be used to create fish and wildlife habitat structures near the Loafer Point recreation area. These structures, when submerged, will provide a refuge for many fish species in Lake Oroville including largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and green sunfish. When dewatered by lower lake levels, the structures also provide habitat for terrestrial species (land animals and birds). DWR contracted with the California Conservation Corps to anchor the brush and trees into the barren slopes of Lake Oroville beginning May 4. Work is anticipated to last for approximately two weeks. Similar to the Department’s ‘Recycled Christmas Tree Fish Habitat Project’, this work is part of DWR’s commitment to innovative methods of improving fish habitat and promoting fish survival at Lake Oroville, the Thermalito Afterbay, and the Feather River. DWR Continues Brush Clearing Work DWR continues to implement the Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP), which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Crews continues to remove hazardous fuels, including overstocked trees and underbrush, from approximately 9.5 acres at project sites near the Nelson Bar Car-top Boat Launch and along Oroville Dam Boulevard East near the Hyatt Powerplant. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 825 feet and storage is about 2.49 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 4,845 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 5,548 cfs over the past week. A slight chance of rain in the upper Feather River watershed may occur this weekend and dry conditions are expected during the week of May 4. Currently in the Northern Sierra Basin rainfall is below average, at 57 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 25 percent of normal for this time of year. Flows through the City of Oroville are about 650 cfs and about 900 cfs below the Thermalito River Outlet. Total releases to the Feather River are at 1,550 cfs. All data as of midnight 4/30/2020 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net April 24, 2020
Oroville Field Division Work Continues Oroville Field Division (OFD) staff continue to carry out essential duties including operations of Oroville Dam and affiliated power plants, facility maintenance, and monitoring activities. Following guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OFD has made several changes in response to the dynamic public health emergency including social distancing, telework, and increased sanitary precautions for staff. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kills viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible, and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Oroville and Upper Feather River Lakes Closures Update As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the recreation facilities associated with the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area have been closed, as well as the Lake Oroville Visitors Center and public access to the Feather River Fish Hatchery. The U.S. Forest Service closed all developed recreation sites indefinitely including boat launch facilities and campgrounds at the State Water Project facilities of Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis, and Antelope Lake in Plumas County. For information on Forest Service facilities, find your national forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/. Information regarding the status of California Department of Parks and Recreation facilities can be found at “Flatten the Curve at State Parks”. Information regarding the Oroville Wildlife Area, including the Thermalito Afterbay, can be found at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Oroville-WA or by calling (916) 358-2900. DWR Continues Brush Clearing Work DWR continues to implement the Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP), which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Crews continues to remove hazardous fuels, including overstocked trees and underbrush, from approximately 9.5 acres at project sites near the Nelson Bar Car-top Boat Launch and along Oroville Dam Boulevard East near the Hyatt Powerplant. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 822 feet and storage is about 2.46 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 4,869 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 5,400 cfs over the past week. Dry and warming conditions are forecasted through the weekend and into the week of April 27. Currently in the Northern Sierra Basin rainfall is below average, at 58 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 48 percent of normal for this time of year. Flows through the City of Oroville are about 650 cfs and about 900 cfs below the Thermalito River Outlet. Total releases to the Feather River are at 1,550 cfs. All data as of midnight 4/23/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net April 17, 2020
Oroville Field Division Work Continues Oroville Field Division (OFD) staff continue to carry out essential duties including operations of Oroville Dam and affiliated power plants, facility maintenance, and monitoring activities. Following guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OFD has made several changes in response to the dynamic public health emergency including social distancing, telework, and increased sanitary precautions for staff. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kills viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible, and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Fire Suppression System Work to Impact Oroville Dam Waterline A project to install fire suppression systems at the Oroville Project Headquarters office trailers at Oroville Dam’s Upper Overlook is anticipated to require a temporary shut-off of the waterline across Oroville Dam for an approximately 12-hour period during the week of April 20. Restrooms at the entrance to Oroville Dam will be closed during this time. The shut-off will also temporarily decrease the water pressure inflating the rubber seals around the spillway gates allowing additional seepage to be visible on the main spillway. Installation of Piezometers at Oroville Dam Completed DWR contractors have completed installation of eight new piezometers at the base of the dam. These moisture-sensing devices will further DWR’s efforts to monitor seepage and will be used to confirm the seepage measurements DWR already collects. Seepage is normal and expected, especially in large, earthen dams like Oroville. Seepage is measured and collected through a drainage system. If seepage were to change dramatically, it would indicate an issue that would need further investigation. This work is part of the early implementation of the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), which is focused on identifying priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. There were 56 piezometers initially installed in the dam fifty years ago which, as anticipated, have since stopped functioning. DWR plans to install additional piezometers throughout the facility in the coming years. Oroville and Upper Feather River Lakes Closures Update As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the recreation facilities associated with the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area have been closed, as well as the Lake Oroville Visitors Center and public access to the Feather River Fish Hatchery. The U.S. Forest Service closed all developed recreation sites indefinitely including boat launch facilities and campgrounds at the State Water Project facilities of Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis, and Antelope Lake in Plumas County. For information on Forest Service facilities, find your national forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/. Information regarding the status of California Department of Parks and Recreation facilities can be found at “Flatten the Curve at State Parks”. Information regarding the Oroville Wildlife Area, including the Thermalito Afterbay, can be found at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Oroville-WA or by calling (916) 358-2900. Feather River Fiesta Days Community Event Postponed The Oroville Feather Fiesta Days Planning Committee has postponed the May 9, 2020 Feather River Fiesta Days event due to the ongoing public health emergency. The Committee is considering holding the event this summer if community gatherings are permitted at that time. Information can be found on the Feather Fiesta Days Facebook page @FeatherFiestaDays. DWR Continues Brush Clearing Work DWR continues to implement the Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Crews continues to remove hazardous fuels, including overstocked trees and underbrush, from approximately 9.5 acres at project sites near the Nelson Bar Car-top Boat Launch and along Oroville Dam Boulevard East near the Hyatt Powerplant. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 819 feet and storage is about 2.41 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 5,374 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 6,471 cfs over the past week. There is a slight chance of rain early in the week of April 20. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 59 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 61percent of normal for this time of year. On Friday April 17, flows through the City of Oroville will start ramping down from 1300 cubic feet per second (cfs) and will gradually reach 650 cfs by Wednesday, April 22. This is the culmination of a 2-week temporary “flow pulse” that DWR provided for the benefit of juvenile salmon and steelhead in the Feather River. Releases from the Thermalito Afterbay were adjusted during this time period so that the total flow to the Feather River below the Thermalito Afterbay remained constant at 1,550 cfs. This total release of 1,550 cfs to the Feather River below the Thermalito Afterbay will continue. All data as of midnight 4/16/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net April 10, 2020
Oroville Field Division Work Continues Oroville Field Division (OFD) staff continue to carry out essential duties including operations of Oroville Dam and affiliated power plants, facility maintenance, and monitoring activities. Following guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OFD has made several changes in response to the dynamic situation including social distancing, telework, and increased sanitary precautions for staff. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kills viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible, and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Oroville Closures Update As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the recreation facilities associated with the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area have been closed, as has the Lake Oroville Visitors Center and public access to the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Information regarding the status of California Department of Parks and Recreation facilities can be found at “Flatten the Curve at State Parks”. Information regarding the Oroville Wildlife Area, including the Thermalito Afterbay, can be found at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Oroville-WA or by calling (916) 358-2900. Upper Feather River Lakes Recreation Closures As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Forest Service has closed all developed recreation sites indefinitely to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public, in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities. This includes boat launch facilities and campgrounds at Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis, and Antelope Lake in Plumas County. Public access to developed areas, except trailheads, is now prohibited at these State Water Project facilities. For information on other Forest Service facilities, find your national forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/. Community Event Postponed The Oroville Feather Fiesta Days Planning Committee has postponed the May 9, 2020 Feather River Fiesta Days event due to the ongoing public health emergency. The Committee is considering holding the event this summer if community gatherings are permitted at that time. Information can be found on the Feather Fiesta Days Facebook page @FeatherFiestaDays. CAL FIRE – Butte County/DWR Loafer Creek Work Nearly Completed CAL FIRE and DWR work to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville through the CAL FIRE Vegetation Management Program and DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP). CAL FIRE/DWR work at Loafer Creek is scheduled to conclude the week of April 13. DWR contractors have removed hazardous fuels, including overstocked trees and underbrush, from approximately 20 acres at the south end of Loafer Creek where CAL FIRE crews will soon complete their burning of the brush piles. Smoke from the burn piles may be visible by area residents and motorists on State Route 162 near the Forbestown Road area. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 814 feet and storage is about 2.35 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 5,025 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 5,816 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of April 13. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 60 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 67 percent of normal for this time of year. On Friday, the total releases to the Feather River were reduced from 1,750 to 1,550 cfs for storage conservation. There is about 250 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet and 1,300 cfs through the City of Oroville, which was increased on April 3 for fisheries purposes. All data as of midnight 4/9/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net March 27, 2020
OFD Work Continues Oroville Field Division staff continue to carry out essential duties including operations of Oroville Dam and affiliated power plants, maintenance and monitoring activities. Following guidance from Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OFD has made several changes in response to the dynamic situation including social distancing, telework and increased sanitary precautions for staff. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kills viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Closures Update The Lake Oroville Visitors Center and Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) campgrounds remain closed to help slow the spread of the pandemic disease and protect public health and the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff of California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The Feather River Fish Hatchery is also closed to the public with the viewing area near the Fish Barrier Dam remaining open. As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of LOSRA, including hiking, biking and equestrian trails and boat launches, remain open with events such as fishing tournaments cancelled or postponed. Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available. State Parks and DWR continue to monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation closely and will follow guidance provided by the Governor’s Office and public health officials. Find current information on State Parks closures or restrictions at “Flatten the Curve at State Parks”. Public access information is also available by contacting DWR at dwrwebcomment@water.ca.gov, calling DWR at (916) 653-5791 or the LOSRA headquarters at (530) 538-2200. Upper Feather River Lakes Recreational Closures The U.S. Forest Service has closed all recreation sites, including boat launch facilities and campgrounds at Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis and Antelope Lake in Plumas County from March 26 to April 30 to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak, in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities. Public access to developed areas, excepting trailheads, is now prohibited at these State Water Project facilities. CAL FIRE – Butte County Continues Vegetation Management Project CAL FIRE continues burning brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek as part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) contractors also thinned overstocked trees and vegetation increasing CAL FIRE’s target area to approximately 20 acres. CAL FIRE activities will take place seven days a week as weather allows. Smoke from the burn piles may be visible by area residents and motorists on State Route 162 near the Forbestown Road area. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is nearly 808 feet and storage is about 2.28 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,390 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,883 cfs over the past week. A chance of light precipitation is forecasted over the weekend with dry and warmer conditions beginning the week of March 30. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 56 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 54 percent of normal for this time of year. Releases to the Feather River are at 1,750 cfs to conserve storage. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 3/26/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  Due to recommendations concerning COVID-19, the Oroville Chamber has closed its lobby. We are still available to answer questions. If you have any questions, please call us at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
March 20, 2020
DWR’s Critical Functions Continue The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues operations to maintain critical functions while modifying the way we work in the face of the coronavirus to protect our staff. Following guidance from the Governor Newsom and California Department of Public Health, DWR has made several changes in response to the dynamic situation. DWR continues to provide the state of California its core services of water delivery, flood protection, dam safety and infrastructure maintenance. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kill viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Closures Due to Public Health Concerns In an effort to protect public health and the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff as the state responds to the continued threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) and Department of Water Resources (DWR) have temporarily closed the Lake Oroville Visitor Center on Kelly Ridge Road. State Parks has also temporarily closed all campgrounds in the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) to help slow the spread of the pandemic disease. The Feather River Fish Hatchery is also closed to the public with the viewing area near the Fish Barrier Dam remaining open. The decision to close these areas are in accordance with guidance from the Governor’s Office via the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in an effort to protect our most vulnerable community members. As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of LOSRA, including trails and boat launches, remain open. Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available. State Parks and DWR continue to monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation closely and will follow any guidance provided by the Governor’s Office via the CDPH, the CDC, and Cal OES. For the latest information on public access, you can contact DWR by email at dwrwebcomment@water.ca.gov or by calling (916) 653-5791. You may also contact LOSRA headquarters at (530) 538-2200. CAL FIRE – Butte County Resumes Vegetation Management Project With the return of wet weather, CAL FIRE has resumed burning brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek as part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) contractors also thinned overstocked trees and vegetation which increases CAL FIRE’s target area to approximately 20 acres. CAL FIRE activities will take place seven days a week as weather allows. Smoke from the burn piles may be visible by area residents and motorists on State Route 162 near the Forbestown Road area. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 806 feet and storage is nearly 2.26 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,273 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,655 cfs over the past week. After a couple days of dry conditions, additional rain and snow is expected beginning Sunday into the week of March 23. Up to two inches is in the forecast, with the bulk of it on Monday and Tuesday. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 56 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 51 percent of normal for this time of year. Releases to the Feather River are at 1,750 cfs to conserve storage. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 3/19/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  We are cancelling the following Chamber events due to recommendations around COVID-19.
March 19 - Lunch Mob, March 26 - Business Leadership Workshop, and April 2 - Oroville Chamber Annual Dinner. We are planning on resuming our networking events in late April, but will make adjustments as needed. Our Annual Dinner is being postponed until the summer, and refunds will begin to be issued in the next couple of weeks. If you have any questions, please contact the Oroville Chamber at (530) 538-2542 or at info@orovillechamber.com.
Oroville is rich with history in its many museums. Continue reading to learn a little bit more about each of the museums.
Use the map below to head to your next favorite museum! For more information on Oroville, head to VisitOroville.com.
This press release was provided by the City of Oroville
ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION IN OROVILLE’S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN OROVILLE, CA – March 11, 2020– The Oroville Botanical Gardens, Native Sons of the Golden West and the City of Oroville are partnering up to bring Oroville an Arbor Day Celebration. The Celebration will be this Saturday, March 14, 2020, in downtown Oroville at Bicentennial Park at the corner of Robinson St and Huntoon St. The Celebration will be held from 10AM to 4PM. The community-invited program will include a welcome from Mayor, Chuck Reynolds, information about Arbor Day, The Tree City USA Flag will be presented by a representative from Cal-Fire. There will be a tree planting demonstration and educational discussions. The celebration will include lots of actives for kids including aerial lift demonstrations, a bounce house, vendor booths and a special appearance by the TreeCircus. The City of Oroville, for the fortieth consecutive year has been recognized and honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a “Tree City USA.” The City is proud to have over 10,000 trees which provide shade in the summer and beautiful blooms in the springtime. The City Parks & Trees Department follows a maintenance and replacement plan to insure proper care of all trees. The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, Department of Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters. A community must meet four standards to be considered. The standards include a comprehensive community forestry program, a tree care ordinance, a tree board or department, and an Arbor Day observance. Arbor Day traces its roots back to 1872 when Sterling Morton, Secretary of Agriculture under President Cleveland, began the program. As the program continued, it took on a new educational character by including teachers and students. Not only does the celebration provide a beautification aspect, but it contributes to a learning environment for historical events, celebrated persons and the study of trees. Forty-four states and territories now celebrate Arbor Day with hundreds of thousands of acres of trees planted by human hands. Trees are widely appreciated for their bountiful produce and the beauty they contribute to our environment. They provide many conservation benefits as well, such as: tree roots grip and hold topsoil which slows runoff reducing erosion and water pollution; leafy tree canopies conserve moisture, slow the wind, keep the air clean, help quiet loud traffic noises, and provide shade from the hot sun while creating a welcome home for birds and wildlife. Poet Joyce Kilmer perhaps said it best, “I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree...” -XXX- For Immediate Release Press Release Contact: Jordan Daley City of Oroville (530) 538-2518 jdaley@cityoforoville.org Lake Oroville Community Update
March 6, 2020 DWR and CAL FIRE Work to Reduce Fire Fuels at Loafer Creek Visitors to Loafer Creek and motorists on State Route 162 near Forbestown Road may see crews cutting and piling brush on over 30 acres targeted for fuel reduction. These activities are part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) and CAL FIRE’s Vegetation Management Program which aim to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health by thinning and removing hazardous fuels and overgrown vegetation that increases the intensity of wildfires. CAL FIRE crews will return to dispose of the piles once sufficient rainfall has occurred to allow safe burning. Motorists will also encounter one-way traffic controls on State Route 162 from Arbol Avenue to 1.5 miles past Forbestown Road as Caltrans crews perform tree work for the next several weeks in the highway right-of-way. Motorists should anticipate delays. DWR Continues Installation of New Piezometers at Oroville Dam DWR contractors continue installation of eight new piezometers at the base of the dam. These piezometers will further monitor seepage and will be used to confirm the seepage measurements DWR already collects. Seepage is normal and expected, especially in large, earthen dams like Oroville. Seepage is measured and collected through a drainage system. If seepage were to change dramatically, it would indicate an issue that would need further investigation. This work is part of the early implementation of the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), which is focused on identifying priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. Work will continue for several weeks, generally between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. There were 56 piezometers initially installed in the dam fifty years ago which, as anticipated, have since stopped functioning. DWR plans to install additional piezometers throughout the facility in the coming years. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is nearly 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,759 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,022 cfs over the past week. During the week of March 9, there continues to be a chance of light precipitation. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 48 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 44 percent of normal for this time of year. On March 5 through March 7, releases to the Feather River were reduced from 2,250 cfs to 1,750 cfs to conserve storage in the reservoir in case of continued dry weather. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 3/5/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net. February 28, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateDWR Begins Installation of New Piezometers at Oroville Dam
Next week DWR will install eight new piezometers at the base of the dam. These piezometers will further monitor seepage and will be used to confirm the seepage measurements DWR already collects. Seepage is normal and expected, especially in large, earthen dams like Oroville. Seepage is measured and collected through a drainage system. If seepage were to dramatically change, it would indicate an issue that would need further investigation. This work is part of early implementation of the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), which is focused on identifying priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. Work will begin on March 2, 2020 and will continue for several weeks, generally between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. There were 56 piezometers originally installed in the dam fifty years ago which, as anticipated, have since stopped functioning. DWR plans to install additional piezometers throughout the facility in the coming years. DWR Collaborates to Seek Information on Atmospheric Rivers’ Impact on California’s Reservoirs State and federal lawmakers have invested millions of dollars in a DWR program to research atmospheric rivers, mitigation and climate forecasting to increase knowledge about these massive streams of water vapor and wind that drop up to half of California’s yearly precipitation. DWR is collaborating with U.C. San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Yuba-Sutter Water Agency in a Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) program to incorporate weather and water forecasts into reservoir operations decision-making. Information about the FIRO program can be found here. Additional information about how “hurricane hunter” planes are assisting the effort was highlighted in a recent CalMatters article. California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting Thank you to everyone who participated in the third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Friday, February 21 in Oroville. A representative of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers discussed USACE’s role in flood management, the water control manual for Oroville Dam, and the water control manual update process. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks. Details about the Commission’s next meeting and more information about the commission can be found here: https://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/ . PG&E Removes Trees Deemed Hazardous to Powerlines Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) contractors will be working on DWR property near Lakeland Road to remove trees presenting a hazard to powerlines in the area. Work activities will continue near the Thermalito Diversion Pool through the end of February. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,556 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,502 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of March 2. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 50 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 51 percent of normal for this time of year. Releases to the Feather River are at 2,250 cfs to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. There is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 1,450 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 2/27/20 *Note: Starting March 6, 2020, DWR will use the email marketing platform Constant Contact to send out the Lake Oroville Community Update. If you wish to unsubscribe from receiving this update, please email Oroville@water.ca.gov. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net.  Explore Butte County is hosting a free Museum Weekend this Saturday and Sunday, February 29 and March 1. In Oroville the museums that are participating are the C.F. Lott Home in Sank Park, Feather River Nature Center & Native Plant Park, Historic Oroville State Theatre, Oroville Chinese Temple, and the Pioneer Museum.
For a full list of participating museums, head to Explore Butte County's website by Clicking Here. For more information on the city of Oroville head to VisitOroville.com or contact us at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com Click the image to learn more about the event.
February 21, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdatePG&E Removes Trees Deemed Hazardous to Powerlines
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) contractors will be working on DWR property near Lakeland Road to remove trees presenting a hazard to powerlines in the area. Work activities will continue near the Thermalito Diversion Pool through the end of February. CAL FIRE – Butte County Begins Vegetation Management Project CAL FIRE work to burn brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek has been temporarily halted due to dry conditions. This work is part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Approximately eight acres are targeted as part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) to thin overstocked trees and vegetation that increase the intensity of wildfires. FLMP projects occur within the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary and FLMP projects are developed in coordination with federal, state and local fire and resources management agencies. Once sufficient rainfall has occurred to allow safe burning, the CAL FIRE activities will take place on weekdays throughout the spring. California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting Thank you to everyone who participated in the second Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Friday, February 21 in Oroville. A representative of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers discussed USACE’s role in flood control, the water control manual for Oroville Dam, and the water control manual update process. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks. For details about the Commission’s next meeting and for more information about the commission, visit: https://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/ . Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 3,150 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 1,844 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of February 24. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 53 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 57 percent of normal for this time of year. Releases to the Feather River were increased from 1,750 cfs to 2,250 cfs on Friday, 2/21, to meet to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. There is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 1450 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 2/20/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  The Lake Oroville Visitor Center is one of the most fascinating points of interest in Oroville. They hold several events throughout the year, have a museum, have access to trails, and do many more things.
To keep up to date on all the programs the Lake Oroville Visitor Center has to offer, Click Here. If you have any questions on local recreation, you can visit LakeOroville.net, call us at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com.
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