HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.09.26 Board Correspondence - FW_ Lake Oroville Community Update - January 9, 2026.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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From:Clerk of the Board
To:Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod;
Kitts, Melissa; Krater, Sharleen; Lee, Lewis; Little, Melissa; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.;
Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth; Loeser, Kamie
Cc:Nuzum, Danielle
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Lake Oroville Community Update - January 9, 2026
Date:Friday, January 9, 2026 2:35:55 PM
Please see Board Correspondence -
From: California Natural Resources Agency <CNRA@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Friday, January 9, 2026 2:10 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Lake Oroville Community Update - January 9, 2026
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Lake Oroville Community Update
January 9, 2026
Flood Control Releases Ongoing from Lake Oroville
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues required flood control releases
using Oroville Dam’s main spillway. With reduced runoff into Lake Oroville and drier
conditions in the forecast, DWR is reducing outflows for storage benefits while still
meeting federal guidelines for downstream flood protection.
Between mid-September and May, DWR is required to operate Lake Oroville for flood
control under federal Water Control Manual Guidelines set by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. These federal regulations establish a set storage space that is reserved to
capture inflows from rain and future snowmelt, while protecting downstream communities
from damaging flood events through coordinated releases. To maintain this storage
space, DWR conducts flood protection releases from Lake Oroville. Some of the water
released from Oroville for flood control is captured downstream for beneficial uses by local
landowners, communities, and the State Water Project.
Releases to the Feather River are coordinated closely with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and other downstream water operators. Feather River recreational users
are advised to remain alert as river flows are expected to be swift and cold and may
change based on projected weather forecasts.
The information below reflects current reservoir level estimates. Forecasts can change
quickly and may affect the estimates provided.
Current Oroville Reservoir Level: 844 feet elevation
Current Storage: 77 percent of capacity
Total Releases to the Feather River: 5,400 cubic feet per second (cfs)
The Lake Oroville reservoir 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, weather forecasts, and
mountain snow levels to optimize water storage while allowing for carryover storage into
next year.
Exercising at Oroville Dam
While Oroville Dam plays a critical role in providing flood protection to downstream
communities, it is also a prime location for physical fitness. A 1-mile paved road and
separated, two-lane, multi-use path runs the length of the dam’s crest, offering an
opportunity for exercise while enjoying scenic views of both Lake Oroville and the valley.
Free parking is available on either side of the dam’s crest with restroom
facilities located at the intersection of Canyon Drive and Oroville Dam Crest
Road. Additional nearby parking is available at the Oroville Dam Crest Overlook, with a
short path connecting to the dam crest road. For early birds or late-night fitness
enthusiasts, the dam crest path has full lighting, making it a great location for free outdoor
recreation during the shorter daylight hours of the fall and winter months.
Those looking for additional hiking or biking opportunities may use the Oroville Dam Crest
trail to connect to an additional 92 miles of trails throughout the Oroville area. Extended
closures of the Brad Freeman Bike Trail and the Dan Beebe Trail between the Thermalito
Diversion Dam and Powerhouse Road, including Lakeland Blvd., will continue through
Summer 2026 during construction work to replace power and fiber-optic communication
lines. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted
uses (hike, bike, horse, multiuse), is available on the Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. A
paper trail map is available at various locations, including most entrance kiosks and the
Lake Oroville Visitor Center.
Golden Mussel Inspection Program
DWR is reminding the public that boat ramps at Lake Oroville are no longer open 24/7.
Watercraft must be out of the water by ramp closing time or they will be locked into the
facility overnight. Please plan ahead. 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 4:30 p.m.
Sealed Vessel Launching
Lake Oroville
Ramp hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Spillway
Ramp hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 8
p.m.
Bidwell Canyon
Ramp hours: Monday-Thursday 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lime Saddle
Ramp hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Loafer Creek/Loafer Point
Thermalito Afterbay
Ramp hours: Daily from 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Monument Hill
Thermalito Forebay
Ramp Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to sunset
North Forebay (Non-motorized vessels only)
Oroville Recreation
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
Dec. 30, 2025 are:
Spring-run Chinook salmon (April 16 through June 30): 17,712
Fall-run Chinook salmon (July 1 through present): 43,576
Steelhead: 2,132
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 138 percent of the historical average.
Feather River flows are at 1,600 cfs through the City of Oroville with 3,800 cfs being
released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet for a total Feather River release
of 5,400 cfs downstream. Through the weekend, flows through the City of Oroville will
reduce to 1,000 cfs with Outlet releases increasing to 4,400 cfs. Total Feather River
releases will remain at 5,400 cfs. 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 1/8/2026.
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
Stay Connected with the California Department of Water Resources
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