 March 27, 2020
OFD Work Continues Oroville Field Division staff continue to carry out essential duties including operations of Oroville Dam and affiliated power plants, maintenance and monitoring activities. Following guidance from Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OFD has made several changes in response to the dynamic situation including social distancing, telework and increased sanitary precautions for staff. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kills viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Closures Update The Lake Oroville Visitors Center and Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) campgrounds remain closed to help slow the spread of the pandemic disease and protect public health and the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff of California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The Feather River Fish Hatchery is also closed to the public with the viewing area near the Fish Barrier Dam remaining open. As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of LOSRA, including hiking, biking and equestrian trails and boat launches, remain open with events such as fishing tournaments cancelled or postponed. Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available. State Parks and DWR continue to monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation closely and will follow guidance provided by the Governor’s Office and public health officials. Find current information on State Parks closures or restrictions at “Flatten the Curve at State Parks”. Public access information is also available by contacting DWR at dwrwebcomment@water.ca.gov, calling DWR at (916) 653-5791 or the LOSRA headquarters at (530) 538-2200. Upper Feather River Lakes Recreational Closures The U.S. Forest Service has closed all recreation sites, including boat launch facilities and campgrounds at Frenchman Lake, Lake Davis and Antelope Lake in Plumas County from March 26 to April 30 to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak, in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities. Public access to developed areas, excepting trailheads, is now prohibited at these State Water Project facilities. CAL FIRE – Butte County Continues Vegetation Management Project CAL FIRE continues burning brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek as part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) contractors also thinned overstocked trees and vegetation increasing CAL FIRE’s target area to approximately 20 acres. CAL FIRE activities will take place seven days a week as weather allows. Smoke from the burn piles may be visible by area residents and motorists on State Route 162 near the Forbestown Road area. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is nearly 808 feet and storage is about 2.28 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,390 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,883 cfs over the past week. A chance of light precipitation is forecasted over the weekend with dry and warmer conditions beginning the week of March 30. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 56 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 54 percent of normal for this time of year. Releases to the Feather River are at 1,750 cfs to conserve storage. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 3/26/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  Due to recommendations concerning COVID-19, the Oroville Chamber has closed its lobby. We are still available to answer questions. If you have any questions, please call us at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
 March 20, 2020
DWR’s Critical Functions Continue The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues operations to maintain critical functions while modifying the way we work in the face of the coronavirus to protect our staff. Following guidance from the Governor Newsom and California Department of Public Health, DWR has made several changes in response to the dynamic situation. DWR continues to provide the state of California its core services of water delivery, flood protection, dam safety and infrastructure maintenance. Please remember that California's water treatment process removes and kill viruses, including COVID-19. Additionally, tap water is cheaper, easily accessible and doesn't contribute to plastics pollution. Closures Due to Public Health Concerns In an effort to protect public health and the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff as the state responds to the continued threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) and Department of Water Resources (DWR) have temporarily closed the Lake Oroville Visitor Center on Kelly Ridge Road. State Parks has also temporarily closed all campgrounds in the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA) to help slow the spread of the pandemic disease. The Feather River Fish Hatchery is also closed to the public with the viewing area near the Fish Barrier Dam remaining open. The decision to close these areas are in accordance with guidance from the Governor’s Office via the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) in an effort to protect our most vulnerable community members. As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of LOSRA, including trails and boat launches, remain open. Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available. State Parks and DWR continue to monitor the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation closely and will follow any guidance provided by the Governor’s Office via the CDPH, the CDC, and Cal OES. For the latest information on public access, you can contact DWR by email at dwrwebcomment@water.ca.gov or by calling (916) 653-5791. You may also contact LOSRA headquarters at (530) 538-2200. CAL FIRE – Butte County Resumes Vegetation Management Project With the return of wet weather, CAL FIRE has resumed burning brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek as part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) contractors also thinned overstocked trees and vegetation which increases CAL FIRE’s target area to approximately 20 acres. CAL FIRE activities will take place seven days a week as weather allows. Smoke from the burn piles may be visible by area residents and motorists on State Route 162 near the Forbestown Road area. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 806 feet and storage is nearly 2.26 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 2,273 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,655 cfs over the past week. After a couple days of dry conditions, additional rain and snow is expected beginning Sunday into the week of March 23. Up to two inches is in the forecast, with the bulk of it on Monday and Tuesday. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 56 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 51 percent of normal for this time of year. Releases to the Feather River are at 1,750 cfs to conserve storage. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 3/19/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  We are cancelling the following Chamber events due to recommendations around COVID-19.
March 19 - Lunch Mob, March 26 - Business Leadership Workshop, and April 2 - Oroville Chamber Annual Dinner. We are planning on resuming our networking events in late April, but will make adjustments as needed. Our Annual Dinner is being postponed until the summer, and refunds will begin to be issued in the next couple of weeks. If you have any questions, please contact the Oroville Chamber at (530) 538-2542 or at info@orovillechamber.com.
Oroville is rich with history in its many museums. Continue reading to learn a little bit more about each of the museums.
Use the map below to head to your next favorite museum! For more information on Oroville, head to VisitOroville.com.
 This press release was provided by the City of Oroville
ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION IN OROVILLE’S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN OROVILLE, CA – March 11, 2020– The Oroville Botanical Gardens, Native Sons of the Golden West and the City of Oroville are partnering up to bring Oroville an Arbor Day Celebration. The Celebration will be this Saturday, March 14, 2020, in downtown Oroville at Bicentennial Park at the corner of Robinson St and Huntoon St. The Celebration will be held from 10AM to 4PM. The community-invited program will include a welcome from Mayor, Chuck Reynolds, information about Arbor Day, The Tree City USA Flag will be presented by a representative from Cal-Fire. There will be a tree planting demonstration and educational discussions. The celebration will include lots of actives for kids including aerial lift demonstrations, a bounce house, vendor booths and a special appearance by the TreeCircus. The City of Oroville, for the fortieth consecutive year has been recognized and honored by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a “Tree City USA.” The City is proud to have over 10,000 trees which provide shade in the summer and beautiful blooms in the springtime. The City Parks & Trees Department follows a maintenance and replacement plan to insure proper care of all trees. The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, Department of Forest Service, and the National Association of State Foresters. A community must meet four standards to be considered. The standards include a comprehensive community forestry program, a tree care ordinance, a tree board or department, and an Arbor Day observance. Arbor Day traces its roots back to 1872 when Sterling Morton, Secretary of Agriculture under President Cleveland, began the program. As the program continued, it took on a new educational character by including teachers and students. Not only does the celebration provide a beautification aspect, but it contributes to a learning environment for historical events, celebrated persons and the study of trees. Forty-four states and territories now celebrate Arbor Day with hundreds of thousands of acres of trees planted by human hands. Trees are widely appreciated for their bountiful produce and the beauty they contribute to our environment. They provide many conservation benefits as well, such as: tree roots grip and hold topsoil which slows runoff reducing erosion and water pollution; leafy tree canopies conserve moisture, slow the wind, keep the air clean, help quiet loud traffic noises, and provide shade from the hot sun while creating a welcome home for birds and wildlife. Poet Joyce Kilmer perhaps said it best, “I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree...” -XXX- For Immediate Release Press Release Contact: Jordan Daley City of Oroville (530) 538-2518 jdaley@cityoforoville.org Lake Oroville Community Update
March 6, 2020 DWR and CAL FIRE Work to Reduce Fire Fuels at Loafer Creek Visitors to Loafer Creek and motorists on State Route 162 near Forbestown Road may see crews cutting and piling brush on over 30 acres targeted for fuel reduction. These activities are part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) and CAL FIRE’s Vegetation Management Program which aim to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety, and enhance forest health by thinning and removing hazardous fuels and overgrown vegetation that increases the intensity of wildfires. CAL FIRE crews will return to dispose of the piles once sufficient rainfall has occurred to allow safe burning. Motorists will also encounter one-way traffic controls on State Route 162 from Arbol Avenue to 1.5 miles past Forbestown Road as Caltrans crews perform tree work for the next several weeks in the highway right-of-way. Motorists should anticipate delays. DWR Continues Installation of New Piezometers at Oroville Dam DWR contractors continue installation of eight new piezometers at the base of the dam. These piezometers will further monitor seepage and will be used to confirm the seepage measurements DWR already collects. Seepage is normal and expected, especially in large, earthen dams like Oroville. Seepage is measured and collected through a drainage system. If seepage were to change dramatically, it would indicate an issue that would need further investigation. This work is part of the early implementation of the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), which is focused on identifying priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. Work will continue for several weeks, generally between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. There were 56 piezometers initially installed in the dam fifty years ago which, as anticipated, have since stopped functioning. DWR plans to install additional piezometers throughout the facility in the coming years. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is nearly 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,759 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,022 cfs over the past week. During the week of March 9, there continues to be a chance of light precipitation. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 48 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 44 percent of normal for this time of year. On March 5 through March 7, releases to the Feather River were reduced from 2,250 cfs to 1,750 cfs to conserve storage in the reservoir in case of continued dry weather. The current release is to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. At this rate, there is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and about 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 3/5/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net. February 28, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateDWR Begins Installation of New Piezometers at Oroville Dam
Next week DWR will install eight new piezometers at the base of the dam. These piezometers will further monitor seepage and will be used to confirm the seepage measurements DWR already collects. Seepage is normal and expected, especially in large, earthen dams like Oroville. Seepage is measured and collected through a drainage system. If seepage were to dramatically change, it would indicate an issue that would need further investigation. This work is part of early implementation of the Oroville Dam Safety Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), which is focused on identifying priorities and appropriate solutions to bolster the integrity and resiliency of the Oroville Dam complex to ensure public safety. Work will begin on March 2, 2020 and will continue for several weeks, generally between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. There were 56 piezometers originally installed in the dam fifty years ago which, as anticipated, have since stopped functioning. DWR plans to install additional piezometers throughout the facility in the coming years. DWR Collaborates to Seek Information on Atmospheric Rivers’ Impact on California’s Reservoirs State and federal lawmakers have invested millions of dollars in a DWR program to research atmospheric rivers, mitigation and climate forecasting to increase knowledge about these massive streams of water vapor and wind that drop up to half of California’s yearly precipitation. DWR is collaborating with U.C. San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Yuba-Sutter Water Agency in a Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) program to incorporate weather and water forecasts into reservoir operations decision-making. Information about the FIRO program can be found here. Additional information about how “hurricane hunter” planes are assisting the effort was highlighted in a recent CalMatters article. California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting Thank you to everyone who participated in the third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Friday, February 21 in Oroville. A representative of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers discussed USACE’s role in flood management, the water control manual for Oroville Dam, and the water control manual update process. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks. Details about the Commission’s next meeting and more information about the commission can be found here: https://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/ . PG&E Removes Trees Deemed Hazardous to Powerlines Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) contractors will be working on DWR property near Lakeland Road to remove trees presenting a hazard to powerlines in the area. Work activities will continue near the Thermalito Diversion Pool through the end of February. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between 1,556 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 2,502 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of March 2. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 50 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 51 percent of normal for this time of year. Releases to the Feather River are at 2,250 cfs to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. There is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 1,450 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 2/27/20 *Note: Starting March 6, 2020, DWR will use the email marketing platform Constant Contact to send out the Lake Oroville Community Update. If you wish to unsubscribe from receiving this update, please email Oroville@water.ca.gov. ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net.  Explore Butte County is hosting a free Museum Weekend this Saturday and Sunday, February 29 and March 1. In Oroville the museums that are participating are the C.F. Lott Home in Sank Park, Feather River Nature Center & Native Plant Park, Historic Oroville State Theatre, Oroville Chinese Temple, and the Pioneer Museum.
For a full list of participating museums, head to Explore Butte County's website by Clicking Here. For more information on the city of Oroville head to VisitOroville.com or contact us at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com Click the image to learn more about the event.
February 21, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdatePG&E Removes Trees Deemed Hazardous to Powerlines
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) contractors will be working on DWR property near Lakeland Road to remove trees presenting a hazard to powerlines in the area. Work activities will continue near the Thermalito Diversion Pool through the end of February. CAL FIRE – Butte County Begins Vegetation Management Project CAL FIRE work to burn brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek has been temporarily halted due to dry conditions. This work is part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Approximately eight acres are targeted as part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) to thin overstocked trees and vegetation that increase the intensity of wildfires. FLMP projects occur within the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary and FLMP projects are developed in coordination with federal, state and local fire and resources management agencies. Once sufficient rainfall has occurred to allow safe burning, the CAL FIRE activities will take place on weekdays throughout the spring. California Natural Resources Agency Hosts Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting Thank you to everyone who participated in the second Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting, which took place on Friday, February 21 in Oroville. A representative of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers discussed USACE’s role in flood control, the water control manual for Oroville Dam, and the water control manual update process. A summary and transcript of the meeting will be uploaded to the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage in the coming weeks. For details about the Commission’s next meeting and for more information about the commission, visit: https://resources.ca.gov/oroville-dam-citizens-advisory-commission/ . Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 805 feet and storage is 2.25 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 3,150 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 1,844 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of February 24. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 53 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 57 percent of normal for this time of year. Releases to the Feather River were increased from 1,750 cfs to 2,250 cfs on Friday, 2/21, to meet to meet environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. There is about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 1450 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 2/20/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  The Lake Oroville Visitor Center is one of the most fascinating points of interest in Oroville. They hold several events throughout the year, have a museum, have access to trails, and do many more things.
To keep up to date on all the programs the Lake Oroville Visitor Center has to offer, Click Here. If you have any questions on local recreation, you can visit LakeOroville.net, call us at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com.
February 18, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateFebruary 2017 was a challenging time for Oroville residents and the surrounding communities. Since then, DWR has made improvements to the Oroville infrastructure and worked hard to restore trust and increase communication. DWR and its contractors have fully reconstructed the main and emergency spillways to continue ensuring flood protection to downstream communities. DWR is thankful to all the impacted residents for their patience and partnership as together we move forward to achieve our shared goals of public safety, a reliable water supply for the state, environmental protections and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.
CAL FIRE – Butte County Begins Vegetation Management Project CAL FIRE continues work to burn brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek. This work is part of their Vegetation Management Program which aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Approximately eight acres are targeted as part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) to thin overstocked trees and vegetation that increase the intensity of wildfires. FLMP projects occur within the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary and FLMP projects are developed in coordination with federal, state and local fire and resources management agencies. The pile burning will take place on weekdays throughout the spring. California Natural Resources Agency to Host Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting in February The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its third Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Friday, February 21. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will take place at the Southside Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road. Additional information, including agenda and other meeting materials, are now available on the Citizens Advisory Commission webpage. The public is invited to attend. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 804 feet and storage is 2.24 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 1,686 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 3,013 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of February 17. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 56 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 62 percent of normal for this time of year. Water is being released from Lake Oroville at a rate of about 1,800 to 2,000 cfs on a daily basis. Total releases to the Feather River are 1,750 cfs, with about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet to meet Feather River flow and environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Juaquin Delta. All data as of midnight 2/13/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  In the last two weeks we have been busy with our members! Pictured above is the Coffee Connection we had at Prestige Assisted Living on February 15. We also had our Ambassadors deliver a few Chamber Member Stickers to renewing Chamber Members.
We have been promoting hiking in the Oroville Area. This includes putting up a digital billboard, hiking a portion of the Brad Freeman Trail, and checking out the Green Line Tour. 
At our Board Meeting on February 12, the Greater Oroville Partnership of Pastors presented our board with plaques and a blessing.  Lastly, we have been working on our events pictured below. There is still time to RSVP to any of these, just click the image.
 If you have any questions about what the Oroville Chamber has been up to, please call us at (530) 538-2542 or email us at info@orovillechamber.com.
The Green Line Tour takes you to several points of interest in the scenic Oroville area. Below you will learn about these points. Stop by the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce to pick up a physical map of the Green Line Tour, or call them for more information at (530) 538-2542. For more information on Oroville in general, head to VisitOroville.com
Click the image to learn more about the event.
 The Brad Freeman/Dan Beebe Trail offers a 44.5 mile loop perfect for scenic hiking and biking. Over the weekend Chamber CEO/President, Eric Smith; Communications Coordinator, Amber Marron; and their families walked a small couple mile portion of the trail up to the old train tunnel.
Our hike ended at the old train tunnel that was used to bring in supplies to build the Oroville Dam. Once through the train tunnel the path continues along the beautiful Feather River. You can see a full map of trails from the Department of Water Resources by Clicking Here.
If you have any questions about recreation in Oroville, you can contact us at (530) 538-2542, email at info@orovillechamber.com, or head to LakeOrovillet.net. February 7, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateCAL FIRE – Butte County Begins Vegetation Management Project
CAL FIRE has started burning brush piles at the south end of Loafer Creek as part of their Vegetation Management Program to reduce wildfire risk, improve public safety and enhance forest health around Lake Oroville. Approximately eight acres were targeted as part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan (FLMP) to thin overstocked trees and vegetation that increase the intensity of wildfires. FLMP projects occur within the Oroville Facilities Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project boundary and FLMP projects are developed in coordination with federal, state and local fire and resources management agencies. The pile burning will take place on weekdays throughout the spring. Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee Holds First 2020 Meeting The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) met on Friday, February 7, at the Southside Oroville Community Center on 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road in Oroville. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recommendations regarding DWR’s recreation plan for the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government, sports and recreation groups, and business and community organizations. The next meeting will be held May 1, 2020 and the public is invited to attend. Dry Weather Helps Loafer Point Boat Ramp Project The recent dry weather has allowed DWR’s contractor K.W. Emerson, Inc. to make rapid progress in constructing the new three-lane boat ramp at Loafer Point. The lower 300 feet of the 60-foot wide boat ramp is in place. Rising lake levels are not anticipated to impact the construction though the lowest 20 feet of the boat ramp is already underwater. The $5 million Loafer Point Boat Ramp Facility Stage One project includes construction of a 92-stall parking area with lighting, a new restroom facility, three new boat launch lanes to an elevation of 800 feet and one boarding float lane. The project is anticipated to be completed by August 2020. A project to construct a second stage parking lot and boat ramp, for launching at lower water levels, is also being planned. The Loafer Point day use area is currently closed to the public due to construction activities However, all other Loafer Creek Recreation areas remain open. California Natural Resources Agency to Host Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission public meeting on Friday, February 21, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to Noon. This public meeting forum will include presentations and public comment at the Southside Oroville Community Center, 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road, Oroville, CA 95966, in the community center’s Multipurpose Room. At this meeting the Commission will be joined by a representative from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to discuss USACE’s role in flood control, the water control manual for Oroville Dam, and the water control manual update process. The meeting agenda and additional information about the Commission can be found here. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 803 feet and storage is 2.30 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 3,400 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 4,090 cfs over the past week. Dry conditions are forecasted this weekend and into the week of February 10. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 60 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 68 percent of normal for this time of year. Water is being released from Lake Oroville at a rate of about 1,500 to 2,000 cfs on a daily basis. Total releases to the Feather River are 1,750 cfs, with about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet to meet Feather River flow and environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Juaquin Delta. All data as of midnight 2/6/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net January 31, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateDWR Conducts Second Snow Survey of the Year
Each month beginning in January and ending in May, DWR, and partner agencies, conduct 260 manual snow surveys at a variety of locations in the Sierra mountains to measure the depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) of the snowpack. The SWE is the amount of water contained in the snowpack, which provides DWR with a more accurate forecast of spring runoff. The January 2 snow survey at Phillips Station found 33.5 inches of snow depth and a SWE of 11 inches (97 percent of average for that location), Thursday’s snow survey found 40.5 inches of snow depth and a SWE of 14.5 inches. The statewide average of all measured sites shows a SWE of 12 inches, which is 71 percent of normal for this time of year. With little or no rain in the extended forecast, California residents are urged to be water-wise and continue their water conservation habits. Oroville Dam’s Office of Emergency Services Approved Emergency Action Plan A recent audit by the CA State Auditor reported on how many dams have had their Emergency Action Plans approved. Oroville Dam’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) was one of the first approved by CA Office of Emergency Services under new EAP requirements legislation passed in 2017. Oroville Field Division, responsible for the operation of Oroville Dam and its related facilities, works actively with local emergency response and assistance agencies, law enforcement partners and community organizations to prepare, plan and respond to a dam emergency, including providing ‘real-time’ training to area partners. Complying with requirements from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Oroville Dam consistently operates with an EAP. The latest revision provides a comprehensive plan for responding to a variety of emergency scenarios involving Oroville Dam and its related facilities. Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee Holds First 2020 Meeting The first meeting of 2020 for the Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, February 7, at the Southside Oroville Community Center on 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road in Oroville. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review and provide recommendations regarding DWR’s recreation plan for the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government, sports and recreation groups, and business and community organizations. The public is invited to attend. California Natural Resources Agency to Host Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting in February The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its third Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Friday, February 21. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will take place at the Southside Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road. Additional information about the Commission can be found on the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission webpage. The agenda and other meeting materials will be posted in the coming weeks. The public is invited to attend. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 800 feet and storage is 2.2 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 4,620 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 9,565 cfs over the past week. Dry and warmer conditions are forecasted this weekend. Into the week of February 3, expect cooler and continued dry conditions. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin, rainfall is below average, at 64 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 76 percent of normal for this time of year. Water is being released from Lake Oroville at a rate of about 1,900 cfs. Water from the reservoir is being used locally for rice stubble decomposition and to support waterfowl habitat and is also being used to meet Feather River flow and environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Releases to support waterfowl habitat are expected to cease in early February. Total releases to the Feather River are 1,750 cfs, with about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 1/30/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net  In the last month the Oroville Chamber has been steadily working for it's community and members. One big thing that came out this month is the Early Bird ticket sales for our Oroville Chamber Annual Dinner. The dinner will be held on April 2 and we will go over what the Chamber has been doing for Oroville over the last year.
We also hosted two events of our own! We had a great time learning about Pacifica Senior Living Country Crest during our monthly Coffee Connection. At our monthly Lunch Mob, Tong Fong Low provided delicious food as everyone took the opportunity to network.
Through our contracts with the Department of Water Resources and the City of Oroville's Supplemental Benefit Fund, we were able to promote the Snow Goose Festival and Restaurant Week. We shared these events to the public through digital billboards, email, our websites, and on social media.  Lastly, our CEO/President, Eric Smith, represented the Oroville Community at the International Sportsman's Expo at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Throughout the four day event Eric spoke to hundreds of people about the recreational and entertainment opportunities Oroville has to offer.
If you have any questions on what your Oroville Chamber has been up to, please call us at (530) 538-2542, or email us at info@orovillechamber.com.  If you are vacationing in Oroville for your next recreational trip, you have quite a few lodging options ahead of you.
If you want plenty of entertainment during your stay you could try out Gold Country Casino & Resort (pictured above) or Feather Falls Casino & Lodge. If you want something closer to points of interest in Oroville, Holiday Inn Express & Suites or Budget Inn might be better suited for you. You can find a complete lodging list by Clicking Here. If you have any questions, you can always ask us at (530) 538-2542 or info@orovillechamber.com. If you want more information on all the wonderful things there are to do in Oroville, head to VisitOroville.com January 24, 2020Lake Oroville Community UpdateCalifornia Natural Resources Agency to Host Third Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Public Meeting in February
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its third Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Friday, February 21, 2020. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will take place at the Southside Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road. Additional information about the Commission can be found here. The agenda and other meeting materials will be posted in the coming weeks. California Conservation Corps Helps Construct Fish Habitat from Recycled Christmas Trees The California Conservation Corps (CCC) continues to construct fish habitat structures at Lake Oroville and the Thermalito Afterbay using recycled Christmas trees collected by Chico and Oroville Boy Scout troops and the Biggs 4-H Club. To create the habitat, 15 members of the CCC team will bundle the recycled holiday trees together using a system of wire rope to anchor them in various locations on the lakebeds. These structures provide juvenile fish safe refuge, improving fisheries and recreational fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, bluegill and green sunfish. For over 25 years, DWR has worked with local groups to construct fish habitat structures, which is one of the longest continuously running fish habitat improvement programs in the State of California. The project is anticipated to be completed by January 29. Loafer Point Boat Ramp Project is on Track for August 2020 Completion As winter precipitation results in rising water levels in Lake Oroville, DWR’s contractor K.W. Emerson, Inc. is currently on track to successfully construct concrete slabs for the new three-lane boat ramp at Loafer Point. Eight slabs have been placed so far, completing the bottom 200 feet of the 60-foot wide boat ramp. Now working at an elevation of 830 feet, the efforts to out-distance rising lake levels appears to be succeeding. The $5 million Loafer Point Boat Ramp Facility Stage One project includes construction of a 92-stall parking area with lighting, a new restroom facility, three new boat launch lanes to 800 feet and one boarding float lane. The project is anticipated to be completed by August 2020. A project to construct a second stage parking lot and boat ramp, for launching at lower water levels, is also being planned. The Loafer Point day use area is currently closed to the public due to construction activities. Loafer Creek areas remain open. Current Lake Operations The elevation of Oroville’s reservoir is about 795 feet and storage is more than 2.1 million acre-feet. Daily average inflows to the lake have ranged between approximately 3,370 cfs (cubic feet per second) to 4,690 cfs over the past week. Cloudy conditions and chances of rain and snow are forecasted this weekend through the early part of the week of January 27 with dry conditions predicted for the latter half of the week. Currently, in the Northern Sierra Basin rainfall is below average, at 64 percent of normal, and snowpack is also below average, measuring 81 percent of normal for this time of year. Water is being released from Lake Oroville at a rate of about 1,900 cfs. Water from the reservoir is being used locally for rice stubble decomposition and to support waterfowl habitat and is also being used to meet Feather River flow and environmental requirements in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Releases to support waterfowl habitat are expected to cease by the end of the month. Total releases to the Feather River are 1,750 cfs, with about 800 cfs flowing through the City of Oroville and 950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay Outlet. All data as of midnight 1/23/20 ### Know someone who would like to receive Community Updates? They can email their request to oroville@water.ca.gov. For more information on local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net Click the image to learn more about the event.
 The Snow Goose Festival is in full swing in Butte County. This is the perfect event for birders to watch the migration of not only snow geese, but a plethora of other birds as well.
There is still time to get a tour for January 25 or 26. Just Click Here. If you don't want to be part of a tour, you can bird watch on your own. Locally there will be birds on Lake Oroville and at the Oroville Wildlife Area. So, pack a lunch and bring a pair of binoculars! To learn more about local recreation, head to LakeOroville.net |
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