HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.08.25 Board Correspondence_ FW_ Lake Oroville Community Update - August 8, 2025.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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From:Clerk of the Board
To:BOS
Cc:Loeser, Kamie; Nuzum, Danielle
Subject:Board Correspondence: FW: Lake Oroville Community Update - August 8, 2025
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 3:30:37 PM
Please see Board Correspondence
From: California Natural Resources Agency <CNRA@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 3:22 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Lake Oroville Community Update - August 8, 2025
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Lake Oroville Community Update
August 8, 2025
Grazing Animals Reduce Fire Risk
Hillsides throughout the Loafer Creek Recreation Area near State Route 162 are looking
different as goats and sheep from Hanski Family Farms are assisting the Department of
Water Resources (DWR) with fuel reduction efforts on approximately 140 acres of
property. Targeted grazing minimizes the rate of spread of a potential fire by reducing
ground fuels, ladder fuels, and overgrown vegetation. The goats and sheep graze on
grasses, leaves, poison oak, invasive weeds, and a variety of shrubs and trees. By
standing on their hind legs, they can reduce ladder fuels up to four feet high.
Grazing areas will be cordoned off with an electric fence for approximately 6-8 weeks and
informational signs will be posted for public safety. Herdsmen and guard dogs will be
present to protect the animals while they work. The public is urged to stay clear of the
electric fence and keep pets away so the animals are not disturbed.
The goat grazing project is a collaborative effort between the Butte Fire Safe Council, the
California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and DWR. The project is
funded by CAL FIRE California Climate Investments Forest Health Program grants. This
effort is part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan, which is dedicated to reducing
wildfire risk, enhancing public safety, and improving forest health around Lake Oroville.
Trail users should use caution in active work areas and follow all posted signage.
Vegetation management remains a top priority for DWR and its partners, including CAL
FIRE, the Butte County Fire Department, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the CA
Conservation Corps (CCC), CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), State Parks, local
tribes, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council.
Caution Advisory Lifted for Middle Fork
The caution advisory for Lake Oroville’s Middle Fork has been lifted with the dissipation of
an algal bloom. DWR first issued the caution advisory on Friday, July 3 after a bloom was
observed by staff. Samples collected for laboratory analysis did not detect toxins within
the bloom.
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.
What are signs of harmful algal blooms?
Small blue-green, green, white, or brown particles in the water
Streaks in the water that look like spilled paint
Mats, scum, or foam at the surface or along the shoreline
Can have an odor described as gasoline, septic, or fishy
DWR’s environmental scientists routinely monitor for blue-green algae and their toxins
within the Oroville-Thermalito Complex. Monitoring occurs during the summer months with
water samples taken at various locations regularly, which are sent to a lab for toxin
analysis. 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.
Golden Mussel Inspection Program
DWR is reminding watercraft owners to bring their vessel’s keys with them for the invasive
mussel inspection at the North Thermalito Forebay. Vessels must also have a working
battery and be operational to complete and pass required inspections.
More details about DWR’s mussel inspection program are available at
water.ca.gov/mussels.
Watercraft Inspection Location/Decontamination Services
North Thermalito Forebay at Garden Drive and HWY 70 in Oroville
Hours of operation: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sealed Vessel Launching
Lake Oroville
Ramp hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Spillway
Bidwell Canyon
Extended Ramp hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Lime Saddle
Loafer Creek
Thermalito Afterbay
Ramp hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset
Monument Hill
Thermalito Forebay
Ramp Hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
North Forebay (Non-motorized vessels only)
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 Lake Oroville 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.
Between Jan. 30 and April 20, high flows in the Feather River required the temporary
removal of fish monitoring equipment resulting in lower spring-run estimates. Upstream
migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and
August 2, 2025 are:
Spring-run Chinook salmon (April 16 through June 30): 17,732
Fall-run Chinook salmon (July 1 through present): 397
Steelhead: 189
To see previous year data, visit CalFish.org.
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 844 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.63 million acre-feet
(MAF), which is 77 percent of its total capacity and 115 percent of the historical average.
Feather River flows are at 1,200 cfs through the City of Oroville with 5,300 cfs being
released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River
release of 6,500 cfs downstream. 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 11:59 p.m. on 8/7/2025.
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
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