October 8, 2021
Loafer Point Stage II Boat Ramp Extension
Historic low lake levels at Lake Oroville are allowing DWR to extend three lanes of the Loafer Point Stage II boat ramp farther into the dry lakebed. Work to create the new boat launch lanes began this week and will continue until winter precipitation causes lake levels to rise. The existing Stage II facility was completed this spring, providing six new boat launch lanes extending to elevation 702 feet and 180 trailered parking spaces.
 
The Loafer Point Stage II facility is adjacent to an existing Loafer Creek Recreation Day Use Area and Campground, rounding out a full-service recreation destination with nearby trails, campgrounds, boating, and marina store. Additionally, immediate access to the wide-open waters of Lake Oroville makes Loafer Point a popular boat launching location. The Loafer Point Stage I boat launch facility, completed in 2020, added three new boat launch lanes from a full lake down to 799 feet, a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant parking area, and new restroom facilities.
 
Visitors and nearby residents are reminded to be aware of construction equipment and vehicles, including those entering and exiting the Loafer Creek recreation area at Oro-Quincy Highway.
Photo: Loafer Point Stage II Boat Ramp (July 2021)

October 1, 2021
Salmon Festival
The annual Oroville Salmon Festival was held Saturday, September 25 to celebrate the return of salmon to the Feather River. Centered around historic downtown Oroville and the newly renovated Oroville Convention Center (formerly Memorial Auditorium), attendees enjoyed an activity zone, food vendors, music, craft fair, car show, a downtown street fair, and informational booths. 

The Feather River Fish Hatchery (FRFH) remains closed, but the Fish Barrier Dam Overlook, fish ladder, and underwater viewing window continue to be open to the public. A video virtual tour of the hatchery is available on the DWR YouTube channel.
Photo: Providing education to youth at DWR booth - Salmon Festival 2021

September 17, 2021
Salmon Festival
Oroville’s Salmon Festival is scheduled for Sept. 25 to celebrate the return of salmon to the Feather River. Always held on the last Saturday in September, the celebration was canceled in 2020. Due to the ongoing pandemic, additional hand washing/sanitizing stations and free masks will be provided to promote public health and safety at this year’s event. Attendees are required to follow all Butte County public health guidelines relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will be centered around historic downtown Oroville and the newly renovated Oroville Convention Center (formerly Memorial Auditorium) with an activity zone, food vendors, music, craft fair, car show, and informational booths. No tours will be provided at the Feather River Fish Hatchery (FRFH) but the Viewing Area, fish ladder, and underwater viewing window remain open to the public. A video virtual tour of the hatchery will be shown at the Convention Center.

Those wanting to see the salmon in their natural habitat can sign up for “Float with the Salmon” raft trips down the Feather River. DWR biologists accompanying each raft will offer “on-the-water” education about the salmonid life cycle and river habitat. For details, visit the Salmon Festival’s website. 
Photo: Photo booth at DWR tent - Salmon Festival 2018
Feather River Cleanup
DWR will participate in the annual Feather River Cleanup Event, hosted by the Feather River Recreation and Park District (FRRPD) on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event to restore the health of the Feather River and surrounding trails includes trash pickup and invasive plant removal. DWR will provide a boat and staff to support the in-river portion of the cleanup event and coordinate with FRRPD and Recology on the removal of collected in-river trash and large debris.

Volunteers are directed to check-in at Riverbend Park’s Salmon Pavilion at the end of Montgomery Street in Oroville. Supplies will be provided but volunteers are encouraged to wear long pants, long sleeved shirts, and boots or sturdy shoes. Sunscreen, water, and work gloves are also recommended.

August 27, 2021
Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting
The California Natural Resources Agency held its eighth Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on August 27, 2021. The online public meeting included an overview of major projects and maintenance plans at the Oroville Dam facilities and a presentation by a State Water Contractor. Members of the public also offered comments and asked questions. The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum to provide public feedback from the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. The meeting transcript and presentations will be available on the Commission’s website in the coming weeks, visit https://bit.ly/OrovilleCAC.
Oroville Wildlife Area Habitat Project
The season is ending for the sunflowers and safflowers planted this spring on 60 acres of the Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA) near the Thermalito Afterbay to provide food (forage), shelter, and nesting cover for migrating and native birds. Their stalks and flowers are withered and dry, but their nutritious seeds are plentiful, providing welcome energy to birds migrating the Pacific Flyway and those calling the Sacramento Valley their home. 

This is the time of year when staff from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) mow down the dried flowers, leaving behind acres of seeds and the natural mulch of stems and leaves to nourish and strengthen the soil for next year’s crops.
 
CDFW staff manage the 11,000-acre OWA for the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and farm over 300 acres of grains, grasses, and flowering plants yearly to augment the area’s food supply and add diversity to the area’s wildlife habitat. Learn more about this habitat project on the DWR Updates webpage.
Photo: CDFW staff mow fields of sunflowers near the Thermalito Afterbay

August 13, 2021
Cold Water Temperatures
Current releases to the Feather River from Oroville Dam’s River Valve Outlet System (RVOS), which draws water from the deepest part of Lake Oroville, has resulted in cold water temperatures in the Feather River and the Thermalito Diversion Pool, Forebay, and Afterbay. Water temperatures are ranging between 48 and 58 degrees.

Persons recreating on the Feather River and other waterbodies this summer are advised to wear life jackets. Entering cold water on hot summer days, called ‘cold water shock’, can cause breathing difficulties as well as changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Unplanned immersion, such as from a boat, kayak, or raft, or from jumping into the water from a beach, can be life-threatening, especially without a life jacket to help you stay afloat. Find cold-water safety tips at the National Weather Service’s Safety webpage.
Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its eighth Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on August 27, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The public meeting will be held online and will include presentations and public comment. The Commission will receive an overview of major projects and maintenance plans at the Oroville Dam facilities and will hear from a representative from the State Water Contractors. The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum to provide public feedback from the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. For information on how to join the virtual meeting, visit https://bit.ly/OrovilleCAC.
Lake Oroville Historic Water Levels
Climate change-induced early warm temperatures and extremely dry soils dramatically reduced expected runoff into rivers and reservoirs this spring. Combined with the past two years being the driest two-year period since 1976-1977, water levels at Lake Oroville reached historic lows this past week, falling below the previous low water elevation of 645 feet set in September 1977. The Lake Oroville Storage Forecast Chart can be found on the State Water Project Operations and Maintenance website.

July 30, 2021
Lake Oroville Water Levels
Climate change-induced early warm temperatures and extremely dry soils dramatically reduced expected runoff into rivers and reservoirs this spring. As a result, water levels at Lake Oroville are anticipated to reach historic lows this year. Water elevations as low as 620 feet above sea level are forecasted for late October - below the previous low water elevation of 645 feet set in September 1977.

Decreasing lake levels are also anticipated to affect power generation at the Hyatt Powerplant if water drops below the elevation range required for safe operation. Even when hydropower is no longer generated at Hyatt, its river valve outlet system is able to provide outflows to the Feather River to supply local agriculture, fulfill in-stream requirements to benefit fish in the Feather River, and to meet Bay-Delta water quality and flow requirements.
Drought Information
DWR has created a “Drought” webpage where definitions, historical trends, current information, and maps of California’s water systems can be found. Links to resources, DWR activities, research, and data are available. Read about how heatwaves are impacting drought conditions on the DWR Updates webpage. The State of California recently launched a website drought.ca.gov. This website will serve as the State’s primary location for public drought news and information.

DWR is encouraging water conservation efforts by all Californians. Find out ways you can help by visiting the “Save Our Water” website.
Boating at Oroville
All paved boat ramps on Lake Oroville are now closed due to low lake levels. The single-lane, gravel ramp at Bidwell Canyon has also closed. A gravel, single-lane boat ramp at the Spillway is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. – gates to (and from) the Spillway Boat Ramp area close at 11 p.m.

This auxiliary ramp is gravel on dirt which becomes slippery when wet, especially during times of heavy usage. To maintain the integrity of the ramp, drivers are encouraged to avoid tire spin by placing vehicles in 4-wheel drive mode and accelerating slowly when exiting the ramp, with or without a loaded trailer. Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas remain open from 8 a.m. until sundown with shuttle service and boat rentals available. 

Power boats are allowed on the Thermalito South Forebay as well as the Thermalito Afterbay. A 5-miles per hour speed limit for all boats is enforced on the Afterbay north of the Highway 162 bridge and near the brood ponds on the east side of the reservoir. No motorized boating is allowed in the Thermalito North Forebay.

The Monument Hill facility at Thermalito Afterbay provides boat ramp access, restrooms, a picnic area, and a swim beach. The Thermalito South Forebay facility has a two-lane boat ramp, parking, restroom, picnic tables, BBQs, shade trees, and a fish cleaning station. 
Photo: Gravel, single-lane boat ramp at the Spillway Boat Ramp Area

July 23, 2021
Drought Information
California is no stranger to drought; it is a recurring feature of our climate. Lake Oroville’s low lake levels are a reminder of this cycle of dry and wet years. This year’s drought conditions are being felt across the western United States, with many areas, including California’s Central Valley, identified as being in “extreme drought” - the highest category of drought conditions.

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

The State of California recently launched a website drought.ca.gov. This website will serve as the State’s primary location for public drought news and information.

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

New Bald Eagles at Lake Oroville
Environmental scientists with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) report they have observed four of the seven bald eagle pairs around Lake Oroville successfully raise seven eaglets this spring. The young eagles have fledged – grown flight feathers and become strong enough to attempt flight – and have been observed taking practice flights around their nests.

Lake Oroville and the Feather River area provide ideal habitat for bald eagles. Fish are one of the eagle’s main food sources and large water bodies like Lake Oroville provide a wide variety of fish as well as other favorite food sources such as waterfowl, small birds, and mammals. The many trees and snags (tall dead trees) near water areas provide prime nesting, roosting and hunting locations for the nesting pairs as well as other bald eagles that migrate to and through the area during the winter months.

Protecting the area’s year-round bald eagle population living in the Department’s Oroville-Thermalito Complex is the responsibility of the Oroville Field Division’s environmental scientists. The bald eagle is a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940, as well as being listed as a ‘threatened’ species by Congress. DWR’s scientists monitor for and mitigate against threats such as public intrusions, habitat loss, or other impacts to the eagle’s nesting areas. The area has both resident bald eagles as well as eagles who migrate through each year.

Boating at Oroville
All paved boat ramps on Lake Oroville are now closed due to low lake levels. A single-lane, gravel ramp adjacent to the Bidwell Canyon Stage III ramp is available for boat launching with parking only on the concrete Stage III or Stage II parking lots. Closure of this access may occur at any time as low lake levels and undeveloped site conditions could prevent safe launching of vessels. 4WD vehicles are highly recommended – please use at your own risk.  Boat launching and vehicle traffic outside of the gravel path, designated by the traffic cones, is prohibited and may result in immediate closure of the facility.

Additionally, the gravel, single-lane boat ramp at the Spillway is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. – gates to (and from) the Spillway Boat Ramp area close at 11 p.m.

Both of these auxiliary ramps are gravel on dirt which becomes slippery when wet, especially during times of heavy usage. To maintain the integrity of the ramp, drivers are encouraged to avoid tire spin by engaging vehicles in 4-wheel drive and accelerating slowly when exiting the ramp, with or without a loaded trailer. 

Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas remain open from 8 a.m. until sundown with shuttle service and boat rentals available.

Power boats are allowed on the Thermalito South Forebay as well as the Thermalito Afterbay. A 5-miles per hour speed limit for all boats is enforced on the Afterbay north of the Highway 162 bridge and near the brood ponds on the east side of the reservoir. No motorized boating is allowed in the Thermalito North Forebay.

The Monument Hill facility at Thermalito Afterbay provides boat ramp access, restrooms, a picnic area, and a swim beach. The Thermalito South Forebay facility has a two-lane boat ramp, parking, restroom, picnic tables, BBQs, shade trees, and a fish cleaning station. 

July 16, 2021
Boating at Oroville
The lowest paved Bidwell Canyon Stage III Boat Ramp is closed due to low lake levels. A single-lane, gravel ramp adjacent to the Stage III ramp is available for boat launching with parking only on the concrete Stage III or Stage II parking lots. This single-lane gravel access located at Bidwell Canyon will be available for public boat launching until further notice. Closure of this access may occur at any time as low lake levels and undeveloped site conditions could prevent safe launching of vessels. 4WD vehicles are highly recommended – please use at your own risk.   

Additionally, the gravel, single-lane boat ramp at the Spillway is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. – gates to (and from) the Spillway Boat Ramp area close at 11 p.m.

Both of these auxiliary ramps are gravel on dirt which becomes slippery when wet, especially during times of heavy usage. To maintain the integrity of the ramp, drivers are encouraged to avoid tire spin by engaging vehicles in 4-wheel drive and accelerating slowly when exiting the ramp, with or without a loaded trailer. 

Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas remain open from 8 a.m. until sundown with shuttle service and boat rentals available.

Power boats are allowed on the Thermalito South Forebay as well as the Thermalito Afterbay. A 5-miles per hour speed limit for all boats is enforced on the Afterbay north of the Highway 162 bridge and near the brood ponds on the east side of the reservoir. No motorized boating is allowed in the Thermalito North Forebay.

The Monument Hill facility at Thermalito Afterbay provides boat ramp access, restrooms, a picnic area, and a swim beach. The Thermalito South Forebay facility has a two-lane boat ramp, parking, restroom, picnic tables, BBQs, shade trees, and a fish cleaning station.

Floating Campsites are closed due limited launching access. 
Oroville Recreation
Visitors to the Thermalito North Forebay will find a full CA Parks facility with restrooms, picnic areas, a swim beach, and the Forebay Aquatic Center with kayaks, paddle boards, and other watercraft available for rent.

Numerous Day Use Area (DUA) facilities with picnic tables and restrooms at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) are open 8 a.m. to sunset. Bidwell, Lime Saddle, and Loafer Creek Recreation Areas are open 24 hours. The Oroville Dam Crest Road across Oroville Dam is available 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and open to pedestrians and bicyclists 24-hours a day. The Lake Oroville Visitor Center anticipates re-opening later this summer.

Visit the California Parks LOSRA webpage for current information on facility status and campground reservations. An interactive map of recreation facilities in DWR’s Oroville-Thermalito Complex is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. Information about the 11,000-acre Oroville Wildlife Area is available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage
Trails Map
A map of the trails maintained by DWR, CA Parks, and CA DFW is now available at many Oroville locations including LOSRA kiosks, Oroville Wildlife Area office on Oro Dam Boulevard West, the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Feather River Recreation and Parks District. The map is also available online at ExploreButteCounty.com and on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. 

The map, which folds to pocket size, provides information on permitted trail uses, elevation changes, trail length, and locations of more than 97 miles of trails around Lake Oroville, along the Feather River, Thermalito Forebays and Afterbay, and the Oroville Wildlife Area. Equestrians, bicyclists, and hikers are encouraged to take advantage of this new resource. A full list of locations is available on the Lake Oroville Recreation webpage.

July 9, 2021
Water Quality Working Group
In November and December 2020, a multi-agency task force comprised of the State and Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Butte County Department of Public Works, California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Governor’s Office of Emergency Services came together as the ‘Watershed Working Group’ to address water quality concerns in the North Complex burn area and downstream.
 
Widespread testing of surface waters throughout the burn scar in Butte and Plumas counties has been completed. Sampling results over the last few months have revealed that while contaminant levels were elevated in some instances, they were lower than anticipated and did not adversely impact drinking water treatment facilities or the quality of drinking water they deliver to their communities.
 
The working group’s agencies will now transition to routine water quality monitoring, which includes monitoring for issues such as Harmful Algal Blooms. Building on the success of the collaboration, this working group will continue to meet quarterly to discuss watershed health and be ready for the upcoming fire season. Read the news release for more information.

Saddle Dam Maintenance
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area’s Saddle Dam trailhead facility will experience temporary closures from July 13 to July 16. Maintenance work and installation of erosion control measures will require closure of the main and/or auxiliary parking lots as well as the trail across the top of the dam. Trail users are advised to use alternate trailheads at Loafer Creek Recreation Area, Oroville Dam’s Upper Overlook, or the new parking area near the Hyatt Powerplant on Oro Dam Boulevard East.

Oroville Recreation
The Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp remains open; however, this ramp is expected to be closed toward the end of the week of July 12, dependent on lake levels. Additionally, the gravel, single-lane boat ramp at the Spillway is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. – gates to (and from) the Spillway Boat Ramp area close at 11 p.m.

We ask that all people using the gravel ramp engage their vehicle in 4-wheel drive, so they do not spin their tires and damage the ramp.

Boat ramp information can be obtained by calling the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) at (530) 538-2200 or visiting the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) website at www.parks.ca.gov/LakeOroville. Both the Lime Saddle and Bidwell Canyon marinas will remain open 8 a.m. until sundown. 

Visitors to the Thermalito North Forebay will find a full CA Parks facility with restrooms, picnic areas, a swim beach, and the Forebay Aquatic Center with kayaks, paddle boards, and other watercraft available for rent. The Monument Hill facility at the Thermalito Afterbay and the Thermalito South Forebay facility offer boat ramp access, restrooms, picnic areas, and a swim beach at Monument Hill. Power boats are allowed on the Thermalito South Forebay as well as the Thermalito Afterbay. A 5-miles per hour speed limit for all boats is enforced on the Afterbay north of the Highway 162 bridge and near the brood ponds on the east side of the reservoir.

More than 97 miles of trails and numerous Day Use Area (DUA) facilities with picnic tables and restrooms at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) are open 8 a.m. to sunset. Bidwell, Lime Saddle, and Loafer Creek Recreation Areas are open 24 hours. Summer access hours at the Spillway Boat Ramp are 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily - gates close at 11 p.m. The Oroville Dam Crest Road across Oroville Dam is available 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and open to pedestrians and bicyclists 24-hours a day. The Lake Oroville Visitor Center anticipates re-opening later this summer.

Visit the California Parks LOSRA webpage for current information on facility status and campground reservations. An interactive map of recreation facilities in DWR’s Oroville-Thermalito Complex is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. Information about the 11,000-acre Oroville Wildlife Area is available on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife webpage.

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

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

The State of California recently launched a new website drought.ca.gov. This website will serve as the State’s primary location for public drought news and information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 16, 2021
Governor Visits Fuels Reduction Work
Governor Gavin Newsom visited the Loafer Creek Recreation Area near Lake Oroville to sign a $536 million wildfire package on April 13. This money will go towards forest management projects and efforts to reduce wildfire risks around California, including projects in Butte County. 
 
Governor Newsom visited a work site where CAL FIRE, in partnership with Department of Water Resources (DWR), has crews actively working in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area within the North Complex wildfire burn scar. Crews are using heavy machinery and hand crews to cut, pile, and chip burnt vegetation and trees. The piles will be burned after rains begin later this fall. Operations are visible to motorists on Highway 162.

This work is part of CAL FIRE’s Vegetation Management Program and DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP). Both plans aim to reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and enhance forest health in areas around Lake Oroville. Nearly 3,000 acres are targeted as part of DWR’s FLMP. To date, approximately 700 acres have been treated around the Lake Oroville area by DWR and its partners including CAL FIRE, the California Conservation Corps, Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC), Butte County Sheriff’s Office, and California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks). Previous FLMP work in the Loafer Creek area is credited for helping slow the North Complex wildfire, allowing firefighters time to establish the fire line that protected the communities of Kelly Ridge and Oroville.

DWR, in partnership with BCFSC, will begin a vegetation management project along Highway 162 and Loafer Creek Road starting the week of April 19. This 13-acre project will take approximately one month to reduce overgrown vegetation and hazardous fuels. A one-lane road closure may be needed along the entrance to Loafer Creek Recreation Area. The public is advised to use caution around work activities and reduce speeds around crews and equipment. 
Photo: Reducing fire risk and burned trees at Loafer Creek Recreation Area

DWR Begins Monitoring Vernal Pools
Some grasslands, including areas around Butte County, have an underlying impervious layer of rock or clay that causes rainwater to pond in the winter and spring, creating seasonal wetlands called vernal pools. Although vernal pools are only a small component of our local grasslands in terms of area, they support a remarkably high diversity of plants and animals, including rare and endangered species and species endemic to California (i.e., found nowhere else in the world).

Vernal pool organisms and plants are highly specialized to their unique environment and to the Mediterranean-type climate found in California. They have adapted to living in pools that fill in the winter but are completely dry by the summer, as well as adapting to the sometimes-extreme variability in temperature and rainfall between years. Vernal pools are important targets for conservation because most vernal pools in California have been lost to development, agriculture, and habitat degradation from invasive plants.
 
Vernal pools often support spectacular wildflowers that bloom from March to May. Each spring, Department of Water Resources (DWR) Environmental Scientists from the Oroville Field Division monitor hundreds of vernal pools around the Oroville area and make assessments on how protection measures for these valuable environmental resources are succeeding.
Photo: Native flower "tidy tips" in vernal pool area
Additional Campgrounds Open at Lake Oroville
The California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) has opened their camping reservations for group camping at Loafer Creek Recreation Area, including the Equestrian Group campground, the Bloomer Point, Bloomer Knoll, and Bloomer Cove boat-in campgrounds, the Foreman Creek boat-in campground, and the floating campgrounds located around Lake Oroville. Lime Saddle group camping remains closed. 

Reservations for camping can be made online by selecting the ‘Reservations’ tab on the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) webpage. The reservations system needs 48 hours’ notice to process reservations. “Day-of” access to campgrounds is possible if campsites are available.  

April 9, 2021
DWR Begins Monitoring Vernal Pools
Some grasslands, including areas around Butte County, have an underlying impervious layer of rock or clay that causes rainwater to pond in the winter and spring, creating seasonal wetlands called vernal pools. Although vernal pools are only a small component of our local grasslands in terms of area, they support a remarkably high diversity of plants and animals, including rare and endangered species and species endemic to California (i.e., found nowhere else in the world).

Vernal pool organisms and plants are highly specialized to their unique environment and to the Mediterranean-type climate found in California. They have adapted to living in pools that fill in the winter but are completely dry by the summer, as well as adapting to the sometimes-extreme variability in temperature and rainfall between years. Vernal pools are important targets for conservation because most vernal pools in California have been lost to development, agriculture, and habitat degradation from invasive plants.
 
Vernal pools often support spectacular wildflowers that bloom from March to May. Each spring, Department of Water Resources (DWR) Environmental Scientists from the Oroville Field Division monitor hundreds of vernal pools around the Oroville area and make assessments on how protection measures for these valuable environmental resources are succeeding.
Photo: Native flower "tidy tips" in vernal pool area
Additional Campgrounds Open at Lake Oroville
The California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) has opened up reservations for the Bloomer Point, Bloomer Knoll, and Bloomer Cove boat-in campgrounds, the Foreman Creek boat-in campground, and the floating campgrounds located around Lake Oroville. Group camping at Loafer Creek Recreation Area opens on April 15. Lime Saddle group camping remains closed. 

Reservations for camping can be made online by selecting the ‘Reservations’ tab on the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) webpage. The reservations system needs 48 hours’ notice to process reservations. “Day-of” access to campgrounds is possible if campsites are available.  

April 2, 2021
DWR April Snow Survey
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the fourth snow survey at the Phillips Station snow course (El Dorado County) on April 1. The manual survey recorded 49.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 21 inches, which is 83 percent of average for this location. The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. April 1 is typically when California’s snowpack is the deepest and has the highest SWE.
 
While the Southern Sierra remains well below average for both rain and snow, the picture is somewhat different in the Northern and Central part of the state where California typically receives 75 percent of the state’s annual precipitation. The few storms that impacted California this year have been colder, bringing more snow than rain. Colder systems are good for the Sierra snowpack, which accounts for 30 percent of California’s fresh water supply in an average year.
For Water Year 2021, the snowpack in the Northern and Central Sierra peaked at 70 percent of average; however, rain is below 50 percent of average, which ties this year for the third driest year on record. The amount of water expected to enter California’s reservoirs when the snowpack melts is projected to be just 58 percent of average. The full news release is available on DWR’s website.
Photo: DWR staff at April Snow Survey Phillips Station
DWR Adjusts State Water Project Allocation    
As California experiences a second consecutive dry year, DWR announced on March 23 an adjustment to its initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation for the 2021 water year. The Department now expects the SWP to deliver 5 percent of requested supplies this year, down from the initial allocation of 10 percent announced in December.

Allocations represent the amount of SWP water that DWR will deliver to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland for the year and are reviewed monthly based on several factors, such as water in storage, environmental requirements, and rain and snowmelt runoff projections. 

Drought conditions have a significant impact on the state’s water supply. Lake Oroville storage is only at 53 percent of its historical average. Beginning April 6, outflows to the Feather River will be further reduced to conserve storage while maintaining the Feather River flows necessary for fishery, environmental, and water delivery needs. More information on the allocation change is available in the DWR News Release.
Additional Campgrounds Open at Lake Oroville
The California Department of Parks and Recreation (CA Parks) has opened up reservations for the Bloomer Point, Bloomer Knoll, and Bloomer Cove boat-in campgrounds, the Foreman Creek boat-in campground, and the floating campgrounds located around Lake Oroville. Reservations for camping can be made online by selecting the ‘Reservations’ tab on the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) webpage. Group camping sites remain closed due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

March 26, 2021
DWR Adjusts State Water Project Allocation    
As California experiences a second consecutive dry year, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has announced an adjustment to its initial State Water Project (SWP) allocation for the 2021 water year. The Department now expects the SWP to deliver 5 percent of requested supplies this year, down from the initial allocation of 10 percent announced in December.

Allocations represent the amount of SWP water that DWR will deliver to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland for the year and are reviewed monthly based on several factors, such as water in storage, environmental requirements, and rain and snowmelt runoff projections. 

Drought conditions have a significant impact on the state’s water supply. Lake Oroville storage is only at 53 percent of its historical average. Beginning April 1, outflows to the Feather River will be further reduced to conserve storage while maintaining the Feather River flows necessary for fishery, environmental, and water delivery needs. More information is available in the March 23 DWR News Release.
Reducing Climate Change Impacts at Thermalito Powerplant
An old electricity-generating turbine at the Ronald B. Robie Thermalito Pumping-Generating Powerplant (Thermalito Powerplant) has been replaced with a new energy efficient model that will help DWR achieve its goal of using 100 percent zero-emission resources by 2045.

The new Kaplan turbine allows more clean hydropower to be generated from the same water releases and deliveries, an increase in efficiency from 86 percent to 93 percent, providing even more clean energy to California’s electrical grid. It will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 1,000 metric tons per year, helping DWR further reduce its carbon footprint.

The Thermalito turbine project is partially funded by California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work. Learn more about how the new turbine at the Thermalito Powerplant is helping California meet its clean energy goals by watching our new video and reading the latest DWR Update. For more information on DWR’s renewable energy initiatives, visit our clean energy webpage.
Photo: New Kaplan turbine (foreground) at the restored Ronald B. Robie Thermalito Pumping-Generating Powerplant

March 19, 2021
Trail Closure at Loafer Creek
A one-mile portion of the Roy Rogers Trail in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area will be closed Monday through Friday starting March 22 and extending to April 30. The four-mile equestrian and hiking trail will be fully open Saturdays and Sundays only.

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California State Parks (CA Parks) are partnering with CAL FIRE’s Vegetation Management Program to clear hazard trees and fire-prone underbrush from the North Complex Wildfire burn scar in the Loafer Creek Recreation Area. CAL FIRE work crews will hand cut and use heavy equipment in the northeastern portion of Loafer Creek; crews may be visible or audible to visitors in the Recreation Area.

This collaborative effort to aid in recovery from impacts caused by the 2020 North Complex wildfire will continue for the next several years.
Temporary Closure of Brad Freeman Trail   
A small section of the Brad Freeman Trail near the Thermalito Diversion Pool across from Oroville Dam’s main spillway will be closed Monday, March 22 through Thursday, March 25 for electrical work. Signage directing trail users to a temporary trail around the closure have been installed. 
Temporary Closure Protects Eaglet
A section of the Wyandotte Campground in the Plumas National Forest is temporarily closed to protect a bald eagle nesting territory in the vicinity of Little Grass Valley Reservoir northeast of Oroville. The remainder of the campground is not affected by the closure which is in effect until July 15, 2021.

The closure has been in effect for almost two decades and has helped a bald eagle pair to successfully nest and raise young, contributing to the sustained recovery for this species. Bald eagles are particularly sensitive to disturbances during their nesting phase.

Information about the closure may be found on the U.S. Forest Service website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/plumas/alerts-notices.  
Photo: Bald Eagle and eaglet in Plumas Nat’l Forest territory May 2018

March 12, 2021
Monument Hill Facility
Improvements at the Monument Hill Boat Ramp and Day Use Area’s boat ramp and beach have been completed. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) placed 45 cubic yards of sand on the public beach, repaired storm erosion, and corrected movement of the boarding float at the boat launch. The Monument Hill facility on the Thermalito Afterbay is off Highway 162 near State Route 99.

The Thermalito Afterbay, part of the Department’s Oroville-Thermalito Complex, is a large water supply and hydropower generation reservoir in the Oroville Wildlife Area (OWA). The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) manages the wildlife resources of the OWA for DWR. 
Photo: Laying new sand for Monument Hill Day Use Area beach
Reopening Additional Area at Thermalito Diversion Pool
During the recovery from the 2017 Oroville Spillways Incident, the exclusion zone and buoy line in the Thermalito Diversion Pool below Oroville Dam was temporarily extended approximately one-half-mile downstream. The exclusion zone has been reduced and the buoy line moved back upstream to its historical location just below the spillway, reopening additional area for public access. 

The Thermalito Diversion Pool provides opportunity for non-motorized water sports including kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. A car-top boat launch is available off of Cherokee Road. The upper end of the Diversion Pool near the spillway and dam, while open for fishing from the southern shoreline, excludes watersports, including swimming, wading, and paddle sports. Access to this area is available from the Brad Freeman Trail as well as from the new parking area off Oro Powerhouse Road (Oroville Dam Boulevard East towards Kelly Ridge, turn onto Oro Powerhouse Road and make immediate left before reaching the Hyatt Powerplant entrance gate).