HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.26.2024 Board Correspondence -FW_Lake Oroville Community Update - April 26, 2024.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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From:Clerk of the Board
To:Bennett, Robin; Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Hancock, LeAnne;
Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod; Kitts, Melissa; Lee, Lewis; McDonnell, Susan; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami;
Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth; Loeser, Kamie
Cc:Nevers, Dawn
Subject:Board Correspondence -FW: Lake Oroville Community Update - April 26, 2024
Date:Friday, April 26, 2024 4:20:09 PM
Please see Board correspondence -
From: California Natural Resources Agency <CNRA@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2024 2:14 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Lake Oroville Community Update - April 26, 2024
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Lake Oroville Community Update
April 26, 2024
Storage Increasing at Lake Oroville
During the winter and early spring months, flood control releases from Oroville Dam
ensure the safety of the City of Oroville and downstream communities by reserving
storage space to capture high storm inflows while permitting controlled and coordinated
releases from the dam. As the warm, summer months approach and rain and snowstorms
driven by atmospheric rivers wane, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) transitions
from performing flood control releases at Oroville Dam to capturing as much water in the
reservoir as possible, while still meeting water delivery and environmental requirements.
Throughout April, DWR has decreased total releases from Lake Oroville to account for
reduced inflows into the reservoir, while optimizing storage for the benefit of water supply,
recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. DWR coordinates releases closely with the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other water operators and adjusts releases as needed
to maintain balance throughout the water system.
The information below reflects current reservoir level estimates. Forecasts can change
quickly and may affect the estimates provided.
Current Oroville Reservoir Level: 889 feet elevation
Current Storage Capacity: 95 percent
Total Releases to the Feather River: 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs)
Total releases to the Feather River amount to 4,000 cfs with 650 cfs being routed down
the Low Flow Channel through the City of Oroville. An additional 3,350 cfs is being
released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet, located 5 miles downstream from
Oroville. Total Feather River releases may be increased over the weekend to meet
downstream water quality requirements. DWR continues to assess Feather River releases
daily.
Lake Oroville is the largest storage facility in the State Water Project, providing flood
protection while supporting environmental and water delivery needs to 27 million
Californians. DWR continues to monitor lake levels and mountain snow levels to optimize
water storage while meeting environmental requirements and allowing for carryover
storage into next year.
DWR Supports New Well for Berry Creek School Destroyed by
Fire
Almost four years ago, the community of Berry Creek was destroyed by the North
Complex Fire leaving just a few homes standing and the local elementary school burned
to the ground. Thanks to funding provided in 2022 by DWR's Small Community Drought
Relief Program, construction is underway to drill a new well and install a water system to
support students when they return to school in the future. Learn more about how DWR is
helping the Berry Creek community: https://youtu.be/Th_e9rkmRr0.
Extended Hours for Spillway Day-Use Area
With the approaching summer months and extended daylight hours, the Spillway Boat
Ramp and Day Use Area will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting Wednesday, May 1.
All vehicles and trailers are subject to inspection by the California Highway Patrol (CHP)
for security purposes. There are five other boat ramps at Lake Oroville that are open 24
hours a day and do not entail CHP inspections: Bidwell Canyon, Loafer Point, Loafer
Creek, Lime Saddle, and Enterprise.
Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee
The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) will hold a meeting on Friday, May 3
at 10 a.m. at the Southside Oroville Community Center located at 2959 Lower Wyandotte
Road, Oroville, CA, 95966.
ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to review
and provide recreation plan recommendations for Oroville Facilities owned by the
Department of Water Resources (DWR). The 13-member committee is made up of
representatives from state and local government, recreation groups, and business and
community organizations.
Feather Fiesta Days
For more than 70 years, Feather Fiesta Days has been Oroville’s premier hometown
celebration. This year, festivities will be held Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5 with a
large variety of activities. Get the party started on Friday with the Gold Rush Car Show,
Kiwanis Kiddies Day Parade, and Feather River Recreation & Park District's Concert in
the Park. Then head to downtown Oroville on Saturday for a pancake breakfast, Feather
Fiesta Days Parade, craft fair, and vendor and food booths.
Stop by DWR’s booth in downtown Oroville between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday.
We’ll be sharing information about Lake Oroville recreation areas and have a fun drawing
activity. Decorate our banner with sayings or drawings that represent what you love about
the Feather River. We’ll be displaying your beautiful banner artwork at the Lake Oroville
Visitor Center for the next few weeks.
Learn more about scheduled Feather Fiesta Days activities at visitoroville.com.
Oroville Recreation
DWR, State Parks, and CDFW maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An
interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike,
bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. A paper trail
map is available at various locations, including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville
Visitor Center.
Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the Visitor Center features interpretive displays on
Oroville Dam, area geology, wildlife and habitat, hydroelectric power, and cultural and
historical artifacts. View videos in the theater about the construction of Oroville Dam, walk
or hike along nearby trails, and visit the 47-foot-tall observation tower that provides
unsurpassed panoramic views of surrounding areas. Free guided tours for school and
community groups are available by reservation. Parking and admission to the Visitor
Center are free.
Lake Oroville is one of the State Water Project’s premier recreational destinations and one
of California’s best fishing spots. The lake provides both warm-water and cold-water
fisheries and is a popular destination for bass tournaments. Below the Oroville Dam, the
Thermalito Afterbay and the Feather River offer additional excellent fishing opportunities.
The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of
services including a convenience store, gas, and boat rentals.
Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between
Jan. 1 and April 20 are:
Spring-run Chinook salmon: 474
Fall-run Chinook salmon: 42
Steelhead: 799
Due to higher flows in the low-flow channel of the Feather River between Feb. 26
and March 18, some fish swam over the monitoring station and were not counted in
This email was sent to clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net from the California Natural Resources Agency
utilizing govDelivery. California Natural Resources Agency, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
upstream migration totals.
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 889 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.37 million acre-feet
(MAF), which is 95 percent of its total capacity and 125 percent of the historical average.
Feather River flows are at 650 cfs through the City of Oroville with 3,350 cfs being
released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River
release of 4,000 cfs downstream. Total Feather River releases may be increased over the
weekend to meet downstream water quality requirements. DWR continues to assess
Feather River releases daily.
Visitors to Oroville Dam may also notice minor amounts of water flowing from drains built
into the emergency spillway, which is normal and expected with the emergency spillway
design. The dam and emergency spillway continue to operate as intended.
The public can track precipitation, snow, reservoir levels, and more at the California Data
Exchange Center. The Lake Oroville gage station is identified as “ORO.”
All data as of midnight 4/25/2024.
California Department of Water Resources
715 P Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Call our general information line at 916-820-8142
or email us at oroville@water.ca.gov
Contact Us
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