HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.03.2025 Board Correspondence - FW_Lake Oroville Community Update - May 3, 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 - May 3, 2024
Date:Friday, May 3, 2024 1:53:12 PM
Please see Board correspondence -
From: California Natural Resources Agency <CNRA@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Friday, May 3, 2024 1:37 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Lake Oroville Community Update - May 3, 2024
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Lake Oroville Community Update
May 3, 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 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.
As Lake Oroville approaches full capacity there is the potential for some waves to splash
over the crest of the emergency spillway if we experience any particularly windy days.
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 information below reflects current reservoir level estimates. Forecasts can change
quickly and may affect the estimates provided.
Current Oroville Reservoir Level: 897 feet elevation
Current Storage Capacity: 99 percent
Total Releases to the Feather River: 5,500 cubic feet per second (cfs)
Total releases to the Feather River amount to 5,500 cfs with 650 cfs being routed down
the Low Flow Channel through the City of Oroville. An additional 4,850 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 account for
higher reservoir inflows from weekend precipitation. 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.
Blue-Green Algae Monitoring
DWR’s environmental scientists began monitoring for blue-green algae and their toxins
last week within the Oroville-Thermalito Complex and at Davis, Frenchman, and Antelope
Lakes (Upper Feather River lakes). Monitoring occurs during the summer months with
water samples taken at various locations regularly, which are sent to a lab for toxin
analysis. There are currently no harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories for Lake Oroville,
Upper Feather River lakes, the Thermalito Forebay, or the Thermalito Afterbay.
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is a natural component of ecosystems. Under certain
conditions, including warmer temperatures and increased nutrient loads, algae can grow
rapidly causing “blooms.” Algal blooms sometimes produce toxins that can be harmful to
people and animals. Algal blooms can make the water appear green, blue, or brown in
color. Seeing colors, mats, foam, scum, or paint-like streaks in the water may indicate a
bloom is present. Keep animals and children away from the water when a suspected
bloom is present and report blooms immediately to the California Regional Water Quality
Control Board.
If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found while testing, DWR staff will work with
California’s Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify
the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. To learn more about HABs, or
to report a HAB visit the Water Board’s website.
Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee
The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) met May 3 at the Southside Oroville
Community Center. ORAC was established by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) to review and provide recreation plan recommendations to DWR for
the Oroville Facilities. The 13-member committee is made up of representatives from state
and local government, recreation groups, and business and community organizations. To
obtain a summary of the meeting, send a request to oroville@water.ca.gov.
Feather Fiesta Days
For more than 70 years, Feather Fiesta Days has been Oroville’s premier hometown
celebration. Festivities are scheduled this weekend Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5
with a large variety of activities. Get the party started today 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 at Riverbend Park in Oroville between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on
Sunday. 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.
Extended Hours for Spillway Day-Use Area
With the approaching summer months and extended daylight hours, the Spillway Boat
Ramp and Day Use Area are now open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. 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
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.
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.
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 28 are:
Spring-run Chinook salmon: 1,102
Fall-run Chinook salmon: 42
Steelhead: 802
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
upstream migration totals.
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 897 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.49 million acre-feet
(MAF), which is 99 percent of its total capacity and 127 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 account for higher reservoir inflows from weekend precipitation. DWR
continues to assess Feather River releases daily.
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 5/2/2024.
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
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
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