HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.30.26 Board Correspondence - FW_ Lake Oroville Community Update - January 30, 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 30, 2026
Date:Friday, January 30, 2026 5:00:33 PM
Please see Board Correspondence -
From: California Natural Resources Agency <CNRA@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2026 3:02 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Lake Oroville Community Update - January 30, 2026
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Lake Oroville Community Update
January 30, 2026
DWR Increasing Oroville Releases
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is increasing water releases from Oroville
Dam to combat salinity intrusion in the Delta. As part of DWR’s water rights permit for the
State Water Project, low-salinity zones must be maintained February through June to
protect critical habitat of native fish. DWR continues to conserve as much water as
possible while continuing to meet federal guidelines for downstream flood protection and
state environmental regulations. Between Dec. 20, 2025 and Jan. 29, 2026 Lake Oroville
rose 91 feet in elevation and gained approximately 1.06 million acre-feet of water thanks
to a series of strong storms in December and early January.
Between mid-September and June, 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 from Oroville Dam also
support Feather River habitat for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and other river species.
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 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: 858 feet elevation
Current Storage: 82 percent of capacity
Total Releases to the Feather River: Increasing to 8,000 cubic feet per
second (cfs) by 4 p.m. Friday; may increase to 10,000 cfs on Saturday, Jan. 31
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.
Loafer Creek Fuel Reduction Activities
As part of ongoing fuel reduction work within the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area
(LOSRA), DWR is coordinating with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the
California Conservation Corps (CCC), and CAL FIRE to remove hazardous fuels in the
Loafer Creek area. Crews are continuing to prepare areas along State Route 162 and
near the Loafer Creek campgrounds and boat launch. Pile burning is ongoing and is
dependent on weather conditions and CAL FIRE crew availability.
In addition, a CAL FIRE grant-funded project supported by DWR, the Department of Parks
and Recreation (State Parks), the Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC), and the
Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians is ongoing in the Loafer Creek area near State
Route 162. Approximately 140 acres are being treated by hand crews and heavy
equipment.
During vegetation management activities some trails within the Loafer Creek area may be
intermittently closed. Trail users should use caution in active work areas and follow all
posted signage. Oroville-area residents should expect to see smoke from prescribed
fires.
DWR appreciates the public’s cooperation and understanding as it works to reduce
wildfire risk, increase public safety, and support long-term land management goals.
Vegetation management remains a top priority for DWR and its partners.
Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee
The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) will hold a meeting on Friday, Feb.
6 at 10 a.m. at the Oroville Southside 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 DWR. The
13-member committee is made up of representatives from state and local government,
recreation groups, and business and community organizations.
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)
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 858 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.82 million acre-feet
(MAF), which is 82 percent of its total capacity and 138 percent of the historical average.
Feather River flows are at 650 cfs through the City of Oroville with releases from the
Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet increasing to 7,350 cfs by 4 p.m. Friday for a total
Feather River release of 8,000 cfs downstream. Releases from the Outlet may increase to
9,350 cfs on Saturday, Jan. 31 for a total Feather River release of 10,000 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 1/29/2026.
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
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