 November 8, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateCalifornia Natural Resources Agency to Host Second Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its second Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. The meeting will begin with a site visit followed by a public meeting with presentations and the opportunity for public comment. The site visit and meeting are both open to members of the community. The site visit will convene at the Oroville Dam Overlook Parking Area at the north end of Oroville Dam Crest Road from 8:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. Department of Water Resources staff will be available to provide information and answer questions from Commission members and the public. The Commission meeting will end at 1 p.m. Additional information can be found here. The Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission, created by Senate Bill 955 (Nielsen) in 2018, established a new public forum for discussing issues related to the Oroville Dam facilities. The Commission, housed within the California Natural Resources Agency, represents the communities surrounding Oroville Dam for the purposes of providing public input and receiving information from state agencies related to the Oroville Dam, including its appurtenant structures, the Feather River Fish Hatchery, and the Oroville-Thermalito Complex. Spillway Boat Ramp Area Holiday and Winter Access Hours Weekend Spillway Boat Ramp area access Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. will be extended through the Veteran’s Day holiday Monday, November 11. On Tuesday, November 12, the new winter access schedule will begin, providing daily access for motorists and the public to the Spillway Boat Ramp area from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. As daylight hours decrease, motorists are urged to turn on headlights and pay attention to pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access on the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. These access hours for the Dam Crest Road will remain the same through the winter months. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville reservoir is 782 feet and storage is just over 2 million acre-feet. There is no rainfall in the 5-day forecast for the Feather River watershed and daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 980 cfs to 2,250 cfs over the past week. Water releases from Lake Oroville are about 3,600 cfs and will vary throughout the week based upon power generation schedules. Water from the lake continues to be used locally for rice decomposition and waterfowl habitat and released to meet environmental and flow requirements in the Feather River, as well as downstream in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The scheduled releases to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet, are 2,450 cfs. ### 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 November 1, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateSpillway Boat Ramp Area Holiday and Winter Access Hours
Weekend Spillway Boat Ramp area access Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. will be extended through the Veteran’s Day holiday Monday, November 11. On Tuesday, November 12, the new winter access schedule will begin, providing daily access to the Spillway Boat Ramp area from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate the Nov. 3 transition from Daylight Savings Time. The Spillway Boat Ramp Area will remain closed Monday through Thursday, Nov. 4-7 to allow final construction activities to be completed. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. These access hours for the Dam Crest Road will remain the same through the winter months. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. including the Veteran’s Day holiday on November 11 and change to daily access 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 12. As daylight hours grow less, motorists are urged to turn on headlights and pay attention to pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Spillway Construction Site Office Trailers to Remain at Upper Overlook The recent relocation of construction office trailers to a portion of the Upper Overlook parking lot has been extended. DWR is locating construction office trailers on DWR property at Oroville Dam’s Upper Overlook parking lot in an effort to provide staff with office accommodations in proximity to ongoing and future DWR projects, including the Oroville Dam Spillways Reconstruction project and future site rehabilitation activities, Lake Oroville recreation improvement projects and other area projects. DWR Biologist Count Salmon Returning to the Feather River DWR biologists wading or boating up and down the Feather River between the Fish Hatchery and the East Gridley Bridge will be visible over the next few months as they perform their annual estimate of Chinook Salmon returning to the river to spawn. The annual estimate, along with the other information collected on the survey, is vital for understanding the health of the Feather River salmon fishery and for understanding the health of the CA ocean fishery as well. Estimates of the number of salmon spawning in the Feather River are added to other spawning populations in the Central Valley to inform ocean harvest managers about the overall health of the Sacramento Valley Fall-run Chinook Salmon population. DWR’s Feather River Program conducts many other types of fisheries research and monitoring throughout the year in the lower Feather River. The Program’s work provides understanding about the biology and life-history of Chinook Salmon and other listed species in the Feather River, helping DWR to operate Oroville Dam and associated facilities in a manner that will insure healthy fish populations for the long-term. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville reservoir is 786 feet and storage is 2.04 million acre-feet. There is no rainfall in the 5-day forecast for the Feather River watershed and daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,100 cfs to 2,200 cfs over the past week. Water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 4,850 cfs and will vary throughout the week based upon power generation schedules. Water from the lake is being used locally for rice decomposition and waterfowl habitat and released to meet environmental and flow requirements in the Feather River as well as downstream in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The releases to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet, are 2,490 cfs. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. To learn more about local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net October 25, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateDWR Joins Law Enforcement and Government Partners at Oroville’s Trunk-R-Treat Safety Fair
At the invitation of Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea, DWR’s Oroville Field Division will again participate in the annual Halloween “Trunk-R-Treat Safety Fair” at the Nelson Sports Complex from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on October 31. The event, organized by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, provides a safe space for local children and families to celebrate Halloween. Public safety vehicles from local law enforcement and government agencies, decorated with Halloween themes, will have staff ready to hand out treats from trunks full of donated candy to the hundreds of trick-or-treaters and their families who enjoy this annual, festive event. Fuel Load Management Project at Bidwell Canyon Requires Intermittent Lane Closure The California Conservation Corps (CCC) will continue to work on a vegetation thinning and chipping project to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire near the Bidwell Canyon day use area through November 1. The work will take place adjacent to Bidwell Canyon Road just before the Bidwell Canyon California State Parks entrance kiosk. At the end of each week, CCC’s chipping of removed brush will require one-way traffic controls due to a required lane closure. Drivers are cautioned to be alert for workers and flaggers. Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment Ad Hoc Group Meeting Held Earlier This Month The Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) Ad Hoc Group met on Wednesday, October 16 at 2 p.m. The goal of the Oroville Dam CNA is to identify priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. The primary role of the Ad Hoc Group is to communicate with the broader community about the CNA process and share community concerns or questions with DWR and the Independent Review Board. For details about this meeting or past Oroville Dam CNA Ad Hoc meetings, visit: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project/Oroville-Dam-Safety-Comprehensive-Needs-Assessment. Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Lake Level The elevation of Oroville reservoir is 790 feet and storage is 2.08 million acre-feet. There is no rainfall in the 5-day forecast for the Feather River watershed and daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,660 cfs to 2,490 cfs over the past week. Water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 4,637 cfs and will vary throughout the week based upon power generation schedules. Water from the lake is being used locally for rice decomposition and waterfowl habitat, and released to meet environmental and flow requirements in the Feather River as well as downstream in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The releases to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet, are 2,490 cfs. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more local recreation information, head to LakeOroville.net October 18, 2019Lake Oroville Community Update2019-2020 Operations Plan for Lake Oroville
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted its 2019-2020 flood operations plan for Lake Oroville to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) last month. DWR will operate the reservoir to safely manage lake levels during the winter months, providing flood protection for downstream communities while meeting downstream water deliveries and environmental requirements. Because the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) is still ongoing, this year’s operations plan maintains the same enhanced flood pool as the 2018-2019 winter operations plan. The CNA will provide additional information to guide long-term operations of Oroville Reservoir. Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) Ad Hoc Group Meeting Held Earlier This Week An Oroville Dam CNA Ad Hoc meeting took place on Wednesday, October 16 at 2 p.m. The goal of the Oroville Dam CNA is to identify priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. The primary role of the Ad Hoc Group is to communicate with the broader community about the CNA process and share community concerns or questions with DWR and the Independent Review Board. For details about this meeting or past Oroville Dam CNA Ad Hoc meetings, visit: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project/Oroville-Dam-Safety-Comprehensive-Needs-Assessment Loafer Creek Controlled Burn Conducted Earlier This Week On Tuesday, October 15, firefighters conducted a controlled burn at Loafer Creek in order to reduce future fire hazard and improve natural habitat and rangeland. Approximately 100 acres was treated. This work was a cooperative effort between CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department, DWR and the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Fuel Load Management Project at Bidwell Canyon Requires Intermittent Lane Closure The California Conservation Corps (CCC) began a vegetation thinning and chipping project to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire on Monday, October 14, and will continue through November 1. The work will take place adjacent to Bidwell Canyon Road just before the Bidwell Canyon California State Parks entrance kiosk. At the end of each week, CCC’s chipping of removed brush will require one-way traffic controls due to a required lane closure. Drivers are cautioned to be alert for workers and flaggers. Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 792 feet, and daily average water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 1,580 cubic feet per second (cfs) including 2,450 cfs release to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. ### 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  October 11, 2019Lake Oroville Community Update2019-2020 Operations Plan for Lake Oroville
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted its 2019-2020 flood operations plan for Lake Oroville to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) last week. DWR will operate the reservoir to safely manage lake levels during the winter months, providing flood protection for downstream communities while meeting downstream water deliveries and environmental requirements. Due to the fact that the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) is still ongoing, this year’s operations plan maintains the same enhanced flood pool as the 2018-2019 winter operations plan. The CNA will provide additional information to guide long-term operations of Oroville Reservoir. Water Year 2020 Begins with Robust Reservoir Storage California’s new water year began on Oct. 1 with significantly more water in storage than the previous year thanks to above-average snow and precipitation across the state. Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is currently at 102 percent of average for this time of year compared to just 62 percent of average at this time last year. The water year runs from October 1 to September 30. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/October-19/Water-Year-2020-Begins-with-Robust-Reservoir-Storage Inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Held Last Month Thank you to everyone who participated in the inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Monday, September 30. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks. For details about the Commission’s next meeting and for more information about the commission, visit: http://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/. Spillway Construction Site Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook As construction winds down at the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated in early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for at least two months. Public parking at the Upper Overlook will not be impacted. Fuel Load Management Project at Bidwell Canyon Requires Intermittent Lane Closure The California Conservation Corps (CCC) will begin a vegetation thinning and chipping project to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire Monday, October 14 through November 1. The work will take place adjacent to Bidwell Canyon Road just before the Bidwell Canyon CA State Parks entrance kiosk. At the end of each week, CCC chipping of removed brush will require one-way traffic controls due to a required lane closure. Drivers are cautioned to be alert for workers and flaggers. Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 793 feet, and daily average water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 4,660 cubic feet per second (cfs) including 8,000 cfs release to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. DWR has begun a gradual ramping down of these releases to the Feather River during the first half of October to achieve a sustainable spawning flow of 2,500 cfs by mid-month. ### 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  October 4, 2019Lake Oroville Community Update2019-2020 Operations Plan for Lake Oroville
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) submitted its plan for 2019-2020 flood operations to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) this week. DWR will operate the reservoir to safely manage lake levels during the winter months, providing flood protection for downstream communities while meeting downstream water deliveries and environmental requirements. The 2019-2020 plan is to operate the same enhanced flood pool as the winter operations plan that was put in place for the 2018-2019 winter season. Inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Held Last Week Thank you to everyone who participated in the inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Monday, September 30. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks. For details about the Commission’s next meeting and for more information about the commission, visit: http://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/. CAL FIRE to Conduct Controlled Burn at Loafer Creek Recreation Area CAL FIRE may perform a controlled burn at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area’s Loafer Creek facility on Monday, October 7. If executed, the controlled burn will strategically reduce future wildfire risk for a total of 105 acres. Spillway Construction Site Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook As construction winds down at the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated in early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for at least two months. Public parking at the Upper Overlook will not be impacted. Fuel Load Management Project Receives Four-Legged Help More than 500 goats and sheep will assist DWR to maintain a fuel reduction project on the steep hillsides around Lime Saddle’s Parrish Cove for approximately 4-8 days beginning Oct. 1. Grazing is gaining popularity as a sustainable method to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire through vegetation management. The grazing area will be cordoned off by an electric fence and warning signs will be posted for public safety. Shepherds will be present to protect animals, and the public is urged to stay clear of the electric fence and keep pets away so the goats and sheep are not disturbed. Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday, as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road within the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Lake Level As of Friday, the current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 799 feet, and daily average water releases from Lake Oroville are approximately 7,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) including 8,000 cfs release to the high flow channel of the Feather River, downstream of the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet. DWR has begun a gradual ramping down of these Feather River releases during the first half of October to achieve a sustainable spawning flow of 2500 cfs by mid-month. ### 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  September 27, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateCalifornia Natural Resources Agency to Host Inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Sept. 30
A new commission tasked with providing public feedback related to the Oroville Dam and its facilities will hold its inaugural meeting on Monday, September 30. The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to Noon at the Southside Oroville Community Center, 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road, Oroville, CA 95966, in the community center’s Multipurpose Room. The Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission, created by Senate Bill 955 (Nielsen) in 2018, establishes a new forum for discussing issues related to the Oroville Dam facilities. The goal of the Commission is to act as a unified voice for the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. The Commission, housed within the California Natural Resources Agency and chaired by CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot, will receive information from state agencies and accept public input regarding the Oroville Dam, including its appurtenant structures, the Feather River Fish Hatchery, and the Oroville-Thermalito Complex. The agenda and additional information can be found here. Oroville’s Salmon Festival to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary Each year the Oroville Salmon Festival celebrates the return of salmon to the Feather River. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary in historic downtown Oroville and the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Always held on the fourth Saturday in September, the September 28 event will include a full outdoor sports expo to promote the Oroville area’s recreation opportunities. DWR staff will lead tours of the Hatchery’s spawning operations, which enable millions of Chinook salmon to be returned to the river every spring. Those who want 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. Kid’s activities, food, music, street fair and informational booths, including a health fair sponsored by Oroville Hospital, are certain to make this anniversary event one to remember. For details, visit: https://www.visitoroville.com/salmon-festival.html. Fuel Load Management Project Receives Four-legged Help More than 500 goats and sheep will assist DWR to maintain a fuel reduction project completed during the winter of 2016-17 by DWR and the Butte County Fire Safe Council. The project will take place on the steep hillsides around Lime Saddle’s Parrish Cove for approximately 7-10 days beginning September 27. Grazing is gaining popularity as a sustainable method to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire through vegetation management. The grazing area will be cordoned off by an electric fence and warning signs will be posted for public safety. Shepherds will be present to protect animals and the public is urged to stay clear of the electric fence and keep pets away so the goats and sheep are not disturbed. Spillway Construction Site Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook As construction winds down at the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated during September and early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for at least two months. Public parking at the Upper Overlook will not be impacted. Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the Spillway Boat Ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again when site rehabilitation work begins in spring 2020. Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is closed to public vehicle access Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 806 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 7,400 cubic feet per second (cfs). In additional to water supply deliveries, releases from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs and Delta salinity standards. Local farmers who receive water from Lake Oroville dropped their diversions in early September for the harvest but will be increasing in October for rice stubble decomposition and migratory bird habitat. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. ### 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 Feather River Fish Hatchery is a significant part of both Oroville's past and present. The purpose of the fish hatchery is to help raise Chinook salmon and steelhead from the Feather River as well as help in the migration process. It also provides viewing windows (pictured above) that are fascinating for both families and fish lovers.
The Oroville Wildlife Area has written about the history of the Feather River Fish Hatchey from its beginnings in 1924. The Fish Hatchery also plays a key role in the annual Salmon Festival celebration that welcomes the salmon back into the Feather River. The Fish Hatchery is open daily from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you want detailed information, you can call them at (530) 538-2222. For more information on Lake Oroville and its connected waterways, head to LakeOroville.net  September 20, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateCalifornia Natural Resources Agency to Host Inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting
A new commission tasked with providing public feedback related to the Oroville Dam and its facilities will hold its inaugural meeting on Monday, September 30. The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to Noon at the Southside Oroville Community Center, 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road, Oroville, CA 95966, in the community center’s Multipurpose Room. The Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission, created by Senate Bill 955 (Nielsen) in 2018, establishes a new forum for discussing issues related to the Oroville Dam facilities. The goal of the Commission is to act as a unified voice for the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. The Commission, housed within the California Natural Resources Agency and chaired by CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot, will receive information from state agencies and accept public input regarding the Oroville Dam, including its appurtenant structures, the Feather River Fish Hatchery, and the Oroville-Thermalito Complex. The agenda and additional information can be found here. Oroville’s Salmon Festival to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary Each year the Oroville Salmon Festival celebrates the return of salmon to the Feather River. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary in historic downtown Oroville and the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Always held on the last Saturday in September, the September 28 event will include a full outdoor sports expo to promote the Oroville area’s recreation opportunities. DWR staff will lead tours of the Hatchery’s spawning operations, which enable millions of Chinook salmon to be returned to the river every spring. 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. Kid’s activities, food, music, street fair and informational booths, including a health fair sponsored by Oroville Hospital, are certain to make this anniversary event one to remember. For details, visit: https://www.visitoroville.com/salmon-festival.html. Spillway Construction Site Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook As construction winds down at the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated during September and early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for at least two months. Public parking at the Upper Overlook will not be impacted. Spillway Boat Ramp Area Operating Hours As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the Spillway Boat Ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again when site rehabilitation work begins in spring 2020. The Spillway Boat Ramp is the largest boat ramp facility at Lake Oroville. As lake levels have continued to drop, boat boarding floats at the Spillway Boat Ramp have been moved to the lower, eight-lane boat ramp. Parking is also available near the ramps. Additionally, hikers, bicyclists and equestrians can enjoy the Potter’s Ravine, North Fork and Dead Cow Ravine trails, which are accessible from the Spillway Boat Ramp area. The day-use area with picnic tables and restrooms is also open to the public. For details, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/August-19/Oroville-Dam-Spillway-Boat-Ramp-Reopening-to-Public. Harmful Algal Bloom Update If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found, DWR staff will work with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. Pet owners are encouraged to protect their animals by only choosing clear water without discoloration or surface scum, foam or algal mats for water play. To view the locations where harmful algal blooms have been reported, visit: https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/where/freshwater_events.html. Public Access on Dam Crest Road Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is closed to public vehicle access Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 814 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 10,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases to the river, as well as to local agriculture, from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Releases for local agriculture are currently dropping as farmers prepare their rice fields for harvest. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. ### 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  September 13, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateSpillway Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook
As construction winds down at the Oroville Dam Spillways Reconstruction Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated during September and early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for two months or more. Public parking at the Overlook will not be impacted. Oroville’s Salmon Festival to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary Each year the Oroville Salmon Festival celebrates the return of salmon to the Feather River. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary in historic downtown Oroville and the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Always held on the last Saturday in September, the September 28 event will include a full outdoor sports expo to promote the Oroville area’s recreation opportunities. DWR staff will lead tours of the Hatchery’s spawning operations, which enable millions of Chinook salmon to be returned to the river every spring. 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. Kid’s activities, food, music, street fair and informational booths, including a health fair sponsored by Oroville Hospital, are certain to make this anniversary event one to remember. For details, visit: https://www.visitoroville.com/salmon-festival.html. Spillway Boat Ramp Area Operating Hours As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the Spillway Boat Ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again when site rehabilitation work begins in spring 2020. The Spillway Boat Ramp is the largest boat ramp facility at Lake Oroville. As lake levels have continued to drop, boat boarding floats at the Spillway Boat Ramp were moved this week to the lower, eight-lane boat ramp. Parking is also available near the ramps. Additionally, hikers, bicyclists and equestrians can enjoy the Potter’s Ravine, North Fork and Dead Cow Ravine trails, which are accessible from the Spillway Boat Ramp area. The day-use area with picnic tables and restrooms is also open to the public. For details, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/August-19/Oroville-Dam-Spillway-Boat-Ramp-Reopening-to-Public. Harmful Algal Bloom Update If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found, DWR staff will work with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. Pet owners are encouraged to protect their animals by only choosing clear water without discoloration or surface scum, foam or algal mats for water play. To view the locations where harmful algal blooms have been reported, visit: https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/where/freshwater_events.html. Public Access on Dam Crest Road Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is closed to public vehicle access Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 822 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 10,600 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases to the river, as well as to local agriculture, from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Releases for local agriculture are currently dropping as farmers prepare their rice fields for harvest. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more local recreation information, head to LakeOroville.net  September 6, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateSpillway Boat Ramp Area Operating Hours
Thank you to everyone who visited the Spillway Boat Ramp area over Labor Day Weekend! As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the Spillway Boat Ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again once construction ramps back up in spring 2020. The Spillway Boat Ramp, the largest boat ramp facility at Lake Oroville, currently has 12 boat launch lanes with three loading docks available for use. Once lake levels drop below 820 feet, leaving the upper ramp above the water line, a lower boat ramp with eight boat launch lanes will be available. Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians can enjoy the Potter’s Ravine, North Fork and Dead Cow Ravine trails, which are accessible from the Spillway Boat Ramp area. The day-use area with picnic tables and restrooms is also open to the public. For details, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/August-19/Oroville-Dam-Spillway-Boat-Ramp-Reopening-to-Public. Spillway Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook As construction winds down at the Oroville Dam Spillways Reconstruction Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated during September and early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for two months or more. Although DWR and Kiewit passenger vehicle traffic in and out of the fenced area at the back of the parking lot will increase, public parking at the Overlook will not be impacted. Oroville’s Salmon Festival to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary Each year the Oroville Salmon Festival celebrates the return of the salmon to the Feather River. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary in historic downtown Oroville and the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Always held on the last Saturday in September, the September 28 event will include a full ‘outdoor sports’ expo to promote the Oroville area’s recreation opportunities. DWR staff will lead tours of the Hatchery’s spawning operations which enable millions of Chinook salmon to be returned to the river every spring. 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. Kid’s activities, food, music, street fair and informational booths, including a health fair sponsored by Oroville Hospital, are certain to make this anniversary event one to remember. For details, visit: https://www.visitoroville.com/salmon-festival.html. Harmful Algal Bloom Update If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found, DWR staff will work with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. To view the locations where harmful algal blooms have been reported, visit: https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/where/freshwater_events.html. Public Access on Dam Crest Road Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is closed to public vehicle access Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 830 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 10,890 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases to the river from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more local recreation information, head to LakeOroville.net  August 30, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateSpillway Boat Ramp Area Reopening and Labor Day Schedule
DWR and California State Parks recently announced expanded Labor Day Weekend operating hours for the Spillway Boat Ramp Area. The facilities will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Labor Day, September 2. The Spillway Boat Ramp, the largest boat ramp facility at Lake Oroville, currently has 12 boat launch lanes with three loading docks available for use. Once lake levels drop below 820 feet, leaving the upper ramp above the water line, a lower boat ramp with eight boat launch lanes will be available. Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians can enjoy the Potter’s Ravine, North Fork and Dead Cow Ravine trails, which are accessible from the Spillway Boat Ramp facilities. The Day Use Area with picnic tables and restrooms is also open to the public. As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday, except for the Labor Day holiday, to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the Spillway Boat Ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again once construction ramps back up in spring 2020. For details, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/August-19/Lake-Oroville-Spillway-Boat-Ramp-Area-to-Remain-Open-for-Labor-Day. Construction Speed Limit Lifted on Oro Dam Boulevard East Butte County Public Works staff has returned Oro Dam Boulevard East to pre-construction speed limits between Glen Drive and Oro Powerhouse Road. Drivers are advised to be aware of roadway workers and to obey the newly posted speed limits. Harmful Algal Bloom Update 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. View the locations where harmful algal blooms have been reported, visit: https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/where/freshwater_events.html. Public Access to Top of Dam Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is closed to public vehicle access Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction, excepting the Labor Day holiday on September 2. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 838 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 8,100 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases to the river from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more local recreation information, head to LakeOroville.net  August 22, 2019Spillway Boat Ramp Area Reopening and Labor Day ScheduleDWR and California State Parks recently announced expanded Labor Day Weekend operating hours for the Spillway Boat Ramp Area. The facilities will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Labor Day, September 2. The Spillway Boat Ramp, the largest boat ramp facility at Lake Oroville, currently has 12 boat launch lanes with three loading docks available for use. Once lake levels drop below 820 feet, leaving the upper ramp above the water line, a lower boat ramp with eight boat launch lanes will be available. Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians can enjoy the Potter’s Ravine, North Fork and Dead Cow Ravine trails, which are accessible from the Spillway Boat Ramp facilities. The Day Use Area with picnic tables and restrooms is also open to the public.
As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday, except for the Labor Day holiday, to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the Spillway Boat Ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again once construction ramps back up in spring 2020. For details, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/August-19/Lake-Oroville-Spillway-Boat-Ramp-Area-to-Remain-Open-for-Labor-Day. Correction: Aug. 16 Update stated 720 for the lake level when the 12 boat launch lanes can no longer be used. It should have read 820 feet. Noise Advisory for Visitors to Oroville DamVisitors to the Oroville Dam are advised that a testing device emitting occasional loud sounds will be in use until August 28 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic delays over the spillway bridge may occur this weekend for several minutes while testing is taking place. This testing will provide DWR with data for assessments of the main spillway structures. Workers performing the testing will be visible at the site. Construction Speed Limit Lifted on Oro Dam Boulevard EastButte County Public Works staff has returned Oro Dam Boulevard East to pre-construction speed limits between Glen Drive and Oro Powerhouse Road. Drivers are advised to be aware of roadway workers and to obey the newly posted speed limits. Harmful Algal Bloom UpdateThere 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. View the locations where harmful algal blooms have been reported, visit: https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/where/freshwater_events.html. Public Access to Top of DamWalkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is closed to public vehicle access Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction, excepting the Labor Day holiday on September 2. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. Fish Return to the Feather Fish HatcheryGood news, the Feather Fish Hatchery is now open! The young steelhead fish have been returned to the Feather River Fish Hatchery from the Thermalito Annex Complex in Oroville after routine maintenance and inspections to the facility. The fish ladder and ladder viewing window are anticipated to open on September 15. Check out the news release for more details, at https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/July-19/Feather-River-Fish-Hatchery-to-Close-for-Maintenance. Lake LevelThe current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 847 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 10,100 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases to the river from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. ### 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  August 16, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateSpillway Boat Ramp Area Reopening and Labor Day Schedule
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Spillway Boat Ramp area reopening weekend. Additionally, DWR and CA Parks announced today the opening of the Spillway Boat Ramp area from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Labor Day, September 2. The Spillway Boat Ramp is the largest boat ramp facility at Lake Oroville. Twelve boat launch lanes with three loading docks are currently available at the facility. Once lake levels drop below 720 feet, leaving the upper ramp above the water line, a lower boat ramp with eight boat launch lanes will be available. Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians are also now able to enjoy the Potter’s Ravine, North Fork and Dead Cow Ravine trails. The Day Use Area with picnic tables and restrooms is also open to the public. As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots will be open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area will remain closed Monday through Thursday, except for the Labor Day holiday, to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the Spillway Boat Ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again once construction ramps back up in spring 2020. For details, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/August-19/Lake-Oroville-Spillway-Boat-Ramp-Area-to-Remain-Open-for-Labor-Day. Noise Advisory for Visitors to Oroville Dam Visitors to the Oroville Dam are advised that a testing device emitting occasional loud bangs will be in use August 19 – 28 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This Performance Based Testing will provide DWR with data for assessments of the main spillway structures. Workers performing the testing will be visible at the site. Construction Speed Limit Lifted on Oro Dam Boulevard East Butte County Public Works staff will be working with Oroville Field Division to return Oro Dam Boulevard East to pre-construction speed limits between Glen Drive and Oro Powerhouse Road. Crews will be present on the roadway Monday, August 19 replacing the traffic signage. Drivers are advised to be aware of roadway workers and to obey the newly posted speed limits. Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Update 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. Public Access to Top of Dam Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp - Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is closed to public vehicle access Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction, excepting the Labor Day holiday September 2. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. Fish Return to the Feather Fish Hatchery Good news, the Feather Fish Hatchery is now open! The young steelhead fish have been returned to the Feather River Fish Hatchery from the Thermalito Annex Complex in Oroville after routine maintenance and inspections to the facility. The fish ladder and ladder viewing window are anticipated to open on September 15. Check out the news release for more details, at https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/July-19/Feather-River-Fish-Hatchery-to-Close-for-Maintenance. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 854 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 8,850 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases to the river from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. ### 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  August 8, 2019Lake Oroville Community UpdateSpillway Boat Ramp Reopening
Oroville residents and visitors received great news today as the Department of Water Resources announced the reopening of the Spillway Boat Ramp area on Lake Oroville. Beginning Friday, August 9, the Spillway Boat Ramp area will be open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Boat Ramp area will remain closed Monday through Thursday as construction activities continue. The Spillway Boat Ramp is the largest boat ramp facility at Lake Oroville with two stages of multi-lane boat ramps and a total of 20 launch lanes depending on lake levels. DWR has repaved the parking lot and portions of the boat ramp lanes to increase access. The area also includes the trailhead to a network of multi-use trails for hikers, bikers and equestrians. For details, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/August-19/Oroville-Dam-Spillway-Boat-Ramp-Reopening-to-Public. Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 864 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 9,100 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases to the river from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. Public Access to Top of Dam Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which is Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is restricted from public vehicle access Monday through Thursday. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. Fish Return to the Feather Fish Hatchery The Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville has been closed for routine maintenance and inspections, requiring temporary relocation of young steelhead fish to the Thermalito Annex complex. The fish have been successfully returned to the Hatchery which will re-open to the public on August 15. Check out the news release for more details, at https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/July-19/Feather-River-Fish-Hatchery-to-Close-for-Maintenance. ### 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.  July 30, 2019
Lake Level The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 873 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 9,200 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases to the river from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. Spillway Boat Ramp ReopeningTo ensure a positive and safe experience for visitors DWR, in consultation with Parks and CHP, has decided to reschedule the reopening of the Spillway Boat Ramp until early to mid-August. Over the next week, state partners will test technical systems and perform a dry run to ensure full functionality. Based on this work, state partners will provide an updated target date for reopening the boat ramp facility. Once reopened, the ramp will be available from Friday-Sunday 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. Security enhancements involve many of the improvements to the spillway facilities. These enhancements, which include additional inspection, surveillance and barrier systems, may introduce a few additional processes; however, DWR has designed these systems with our security partners to ensure a safe and positive visitor experience. CalOES Submits Oroville Spillways Reimbursement AppealLast week, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services submitted DWR’s Oroville spillways reimbursement appeal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. To date, FEMA has approved reimbursement of $337.4 million. For more information check out the news release at, https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/July-19/CalOES-Submits-Oroville-Spillways-Reimbursement-Appeal. Road Closures Near Oroville Dam LiftedPaving work on Glen Drive and Oroville Dam Blvd. East was completed earlier than scheduled. Oroville Dam Blvd. East opened to traffic at 12:30 p.m. Monday. The paving work repaired the roadway surface impacted by the installation of a new fiber optic conduit running from DWR’s Oroville Field Division to the Hyatt Powerplant. Feather Fish Hatchery Maintenance ClosureAs a reminder, the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville will remain closed to the public for approximately two more weeks for routine maintenance and inspections. Check out the news release for more details, at https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/July-19/Feather-River-Fish-Hatchery-to-Close-for-Maintenance. Public Access to Top of DamWalkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public is not able to drive across the top of dam. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. ### 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, visit LakeOroville.net.   Lake Oroville Community Update
July 12, 2019 Lake Level Water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 7,495 cubic feet per second (cfs). The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 888 feet. As we continue through summer, DWR will increase releases to the river from Lake Oroville to supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed. Current weather forecasts and expected inflow will not require the use of Oroville’s main spillway. If DWR determines that it is necessary to use the main spillway, in addition to Hyatt Powerplant, DWR will notify the public and media. Road Closures Near Oroville Dam Begin July 15 Contractors will begin road work on Glen Drive on July 15 and Oroville Dam Blvd. East July 19 to improve the roadway surface impacted by installation of a new fiber optic conduit running from the Operations and Maintenance Center at the Oroville Field Division to the Hyatt Powerplant Complex. Paving and road maintenance is expected to last two weeks and will result in periodic road closures and traffic delays. Check out the map below or the news release for more details, at https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/July-19/Road-Closures-Near-Oroville-Dam-Begin-July-15 Feather Fish Hatchery Maintenance Closure As a reminder, the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville was closed this week and will remain closed to the public for approximately four weeks for routine maintenance and inspections. Every five years, DWR and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) perform inspections and maintenance of the hatchery. This work requires shutting off the water supply to the hatchery and moving all fish out of the hatchery. Accordingly, the Chinook salmon raised in the hatchery for Lake Oroville were planted in the Lake and the steelhead were transported to the Thermalito Annex hatchery facility. Once maintenance work is complete, the steelhead will be transported back to the Feather River Fish Hatchery where they will remain until February of 2020 and then released to the Feather River. During the closure, the fish ladder will be closed preventing any adult Chinook salmon from entering the facility. Check out the news release for more details, at https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/July-19/Feather-River-Fish-Hatchery-to-Close-for-Maintenance. Spillway Boat Ramp Reopening Later this summer, DWR will reopen public access to the Spillway Boat Ramp. The boat launch and parking lots will be open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 AM to 11 PM beginning Friday, August 2, 2019. The Spillway Boat Ramp will remain closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the boat ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again once construction ramps back up in early 2020. New security measures are currently being updated in coordination with local and state law enforcement agencies including the California Highway Patrol, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks and Cal OES. ### 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, visit LakeOroville.net.  July 4, 2019
Happy Independence Day! Lake Levels Water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 7,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 893 feet. As we move into summer, DWR increases releases to the river from Lake Oroville to supplement the natural flows in order to meet environmental flows, salinity standards, and south of Delta State Water Project exports. Releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help balance conditions. Current weather forecasts and expected inflow will not require the use of Oroville’s main spillway. If DWR determines that it is necessary to use the main spillway, in addition to Hyatt Powerplant, DWR will notify the public and media. Fourth of July Celebration in Oroville Several local partners including DWR, the Rotary Club of Oroville, California State Parks and more are hosting a fireworks show at the Thermalito North Forebay recreation area, as well as at the nearby Feather River Recreation and Park District's Nelson Sports Complex, on July 4. Activities will start at 4 p.m. and continue through 8 p.m. The fireworks display will start 30 minutes after sunset. Check out the event’s Facebook page for the latest information: https://www.facebook.com/events/688980548216637/. Update on Lake Oroville Algae Bloom The “Caution Advisory” for algae blooms in the Middle Fork of Lake Oroville has been lifted after lab tests found no toxins in the blooms. Visitors to area waterways are advised to avoid algae or scum in the water which can be hazardous to pets and people, especially children. Watch for advisory notices, which will be posted at all boat launch facilities and water recreation sites. For more information, visit the California Water Boards website at https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/index.html. As always, have fun and be safe! DWR Reopening Public Access to Top of Oroville Dam Thank you to everyone who came out for the reopening of Oroville Dam Crest Road (also known as Oroville Dam Road) on Saturday, June 29. Check out the video from the Dam Crest Road reopening: https://youtu.be/4tworN-Wxxk. We’re happy to be able to reopen this popular and important recreation attraction. The Dam Crest Road, as well as parking at the Upper Overlook, is open to the public from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. For safety considerations, the community is required to use the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road. The public will not be able to drive across the top of the dam at this time. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public. Spillway Boat Ramp Reopening Later this summer, DWR will reopen public access to the Spillway Boat Ramp. The boat launch and parking lots will be open to the public Friday through Sunday during daylight hours beginning in early August 2019. The Spillway Boat Ramp will remain closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open it 7 days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed although access may be restricted again once construction ramps back up. The California Highway Patrol will staff new security kiosks at the south end of the Dam Crest Road and before crossing the over the main spillway vehicle bridge. New security measures are currently being updated in coordination with local and state law enforcement agencies including the CHP, Butte County Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks and Cal OES. ### 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 visit LakeOroville.net  June 27, 2019
Oroville Operations Update DWR Reopening Public Access to Top of Oroville Dam DWR will reopen public access to the top of the dam, Oroville Dam Crest Road (a.k.a. Oro Dam Blvd.) on Saturday, June 29 for pedestrians, bicyclists and persons with disabilities. The public will have access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public will not be able to drive across the top of the dam. For more information, visit: https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2019/June/Oroville-Dam-Crest-Road-Reopening-to-Public Portions of Lake Oroville State Recreation Area Closed for Filming Tomorrow DWR and California State Parks are closing a portion of the middle fork of Lake Oroville and the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area tomorrow, June 28, due to commercial filming of low-level aerial flying operations. The closed area extends from Bidwell Bar Bridge to Feather Falls. Other than the occasional noise from aerial operations, there will be no impacts to Lake Oroville’s boat launching or camping facilities. DWR and California State Parks apologize for any inconvenience to visitors. Lake Levels Water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 895 feet. If DWR determines that it is necessary to use the main spillway, in addition to Hyatt Powerplant, DWR will notify the public and media. Fourth of July Celebration in Oroville Several local partners including DWR, the Rotary Club of Oroville, California State Parks and more are hosting a fireworks show at the Thermalito North Forebay recreation area, as well as at the nearby Feather River Recreation and Park District's Nelson Sports Complex, on July 4. Activities will start at the Sports Complex at 4 p.m. and continue through 8 p.m. The fireworks display will start 30 minutes after sunset. Follow the event’s Facebook page at Lake Oroville Fireworks for the latest information. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more local recreation information, visit LakeOroville.net.  Almost every Saturday of the month the Lake Oroville Visitor's Center hosts a guided Saturday Morning Nature Walk that is easy enough for all ages. This week on June 29 the hike will take you to Kelly Ridge Point.
The group meets at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center and leaves for the walk promptly at 8:00 am. The hikes average four miles and the guides recommend you bring water, a snack, and dress for the weather. For this walk the "gradual slope down to the water's edge North of the Visitor Center offering views of the dam, up the North Fork, and beyond the suspension bridge. Then a loop back for fresh discoveries." If you have any questions about hiking in the Oroville Area, please contact the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net.  June 21, 2019
Oroville Operations Update Lake Levels Water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 4,009 cubic feet per second (cfs). The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 895 feet. The Feather River watershed snowpack has mostly melted and use of the main spillway to manage lake levels is unlikely. However, if DWR determines that it is necessary to use the main spillway, in addition to Hyatt Powerplant, DWR will notify the public and media. A full reservoir is a welcome sight after years of drought and low lake levels to accommodate reconstruction. A filled lake provides optimal recreation opportunities and serves as a vital water bank account to help California cope with future drought conditions. It is common for the reservoir to stay relatively full during the summer months in an above average water year. In 2010 – 2011, another very wet year, the reservoir sat an elevation between 898 and 899 feet for the entire month of July. DWR Reopening Public Access to Top of Oroville Dam DWR plans to reopen public access to the top of the dam (Dam Crest Road) next Saturday, June 29 for pedestrians, bicyclists and persons with disabilities. The public will have access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public will not be able to drive across the top of the dam. As part of the reopening, DWR staff will be up on the Dam Crest Road in the morning of the 29thto provide informational materials, answer questions and meet with the public. DWR, California Highway Patrol and California State Parks are operating Dam Crest Road with new security measures to further ensure public safety at the facilities. Construction activity is ongoing in the area and construction vehicles will be using a portion of Dam Crest Road. Expect slower traffic and please obey all road and traffic signs. DWR has also contracted with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office for increased patrols of the Oroville facilities to ensure public safety. Spillway Boat Launch Ramp Reopening Access to the Spillway Boat Launch ramp is anticipated to partially reopen in early August. More details to follow. 4th of July Celebration in Oroville Oroville is always a great place to celebrate Fourth of July. Several local partners including DWR, the Rotary Club of Oroville and California State Parks are hosting a firework show at the Thermalito North Forebay recreation area, as well as at the nearby Feather River Recreation and Park District's Nelson Sports Complex on July 4. Activities will start at the Sports Complex at 4 p.m. and continue through 8 p.m. The fireworks display will start 30 minutes after sunset. Follow the event’s Facebook page at Lake Oroville Fireworks for the latest information. Update on Lake Oroville Algae Bloom Algae is a natural component of water ecosystems yet certain conditions, including hot weather, can cause algae to grow rapidly causing “blooms” that may harbor harmful toxins. DWR environmental scientists regularly test for toxins throughout the summer. The “Caution Advisory” for a ‘bloom’ in the Thermalito Afterbay has been lifted as microcystin levels have decreased. A "Caution Advisory" remains in effect for algae found in the upper reaches of Lake Oroville’s Middle Fork. Visitors to area waterways are advised to avoid algae or scum in the water which can be hazardous to pets and people, especially children. Watch for advisory notices which will be posted at all boat launch facilities and water recreation sites. For more information, visit California Water Boards website at https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/index.html. For more information, follow us on Twitter or Facebook and read our news releases and DWR updates. ### 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, visit LakeOroville.net.  June 14, 2019
Oroville Operations UpdateMain Spillway Due to late precipitation and based on inflows, DWR has taken steps to prepare for potential use of the main spillway. Currently, lake levels are being managed with releases from Hyatt Powerplant. If DWR determines that it is necessary to utilize the main spillway in addition to Hyatt Powerplant to manage lake levels, DWR will notify the public and media. In early April, DWR utilized the reconstructed main spillway to make additional releases from the Oroville reservoir and the spillway operated as designed. Lake Levels Water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 5,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 894 feet. A full reservoir is a welcome sight after years of drought and low lake levels to accommodate reconstruction. A filled lake provides optimal recreation opportunities and serves as a vital water bank account to help California cope with future drought conditions. It is common for the reservoir to stay relatively full during the summer months in an above average water year. In 2010 – 2011, another very wet year, the reservoir sat an elevation between 898 and 899 feet for the entire month of July. Ongoing Work on Dam Crest Road DWR is aiming to reopen public access to the top of dam (Dam Crest Road) this summer. In anticipation of the public opening DWR crews began removing small panels from the dam crest roadside barriers that contain asbestos on Tuesday, June 11. This work is expected to last for two weeks. Crews will wear protective suits and respirators to clean the panels in accordance with state health and safety regulations. DWR will share reporting about this work with Butte County Air Quality Management District and California Air Resources Board. 4th of July Celebration in Oroville Oroville is always a great place to celebrate Fourth of July. The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oroville and will be held at California State Park’s Thermalito North Forebay recreation area, as well as at the nearby Feather River Recreation and Park District's Nelson Sports Complex. Activities will start at the Sports Complex 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the fireworks display will start 30 minutes after sunset. DWR has partnered with CALFIRE/Butte County and State Parks to prepare for the event including conducting a Vegetation Management Project to remove dry grass from an area in the North Forebay. The controlled burn conducted on June 10 around the location of the fireworks launch area will prevent the possibility of the fireworks starting a wildfire. Follow the event’s Facebook page at Lake Oroville Fireworks for the latest information. For more information, follow us on Twitter or Facebook and read our news releases and DWR updates. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. Learn more about local recreation at lakeoroville.net. |
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