HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.20.26 Board Correspondence - FW_ Lake Oroville Community Update - March 20, 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
Cc:Loeser, Kamie; Cannon, Jamie
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Lake Oroville Community Update - March 20, 2026
Date:Friday, March 20, 2026 4:16:21 PM
Please see Board Correspondence -
From: California Natural Resources Agency <CNRA@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2026 2:34 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Lake Oroville Community Update - March 20, 2026
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Lake Oroville Community Update
March 20, 2026
DWR Conserving Water Storage at Lake Oroville
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is conserving as much water as possible at
Lake Oroville as dry conditions continue in the Feather River watershed. Water operations
at the facility continue to meet federal guidelines for downstream flood protection and
state environmental regulations.
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 storage space that is reserved to capture
inflows from rain and 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 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.
DWR coordinates releases to the Feather River closely with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers and other downstream water operators. DWR advises Feather River recreation
users 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: 873 feet elevation
Current Storage: 88 percent of capacity
Total Releases to the Feather River: 5,500 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 and allow for carryover storage into the
following year.
Explore the Lime Saddle Recreation Area
Just a short drive from the town of Paradise, the Lime Saddle Recreation Area
is located along the western shoreline of the North Fork arm of Lake Oroville and
accessible from Pentz Road. The boat ramp and day use area features picnic tables, sun
shelters, ADA accessible flush toilets, and trash receptacles. A five-lane boat ramp
provides access to Lake Oroville with two lanes extending down to 702 feet for lower
water access. At the top of the boat ramp, a parking lot provides ample vehicle and trailer
parking with ADA designated spots. In addition, the Lime Saddle Marina offers supplies,
gas for boats, and boat rentals so you can enjoy a day on the lake.
The Lime Saddle Campground Area features 50 total campsites with 44 individual
campsites (28 car/tent sites and 16 RV sites with full hookups). Each campsite features a
picnic table and fire ring with grill. Bathroom facilities offer flush toilets and showers for
visitors. The Lime Saddle Group Campground features two group campsites (six individual
sites) with shade structures, multiple picnic tables, trash receptacles, a large barbecue,
and a water fountain with spigot. Three of the sites at this facility are ADA accessible with
the central restroom/shower building also offering ADA accommodations.
Spring is a perfect time for a hiking or biking trip along the Lime Saddle Trail featuring
scenic views of the reservoir. The 1.73-mile trail is accessible from Lime Saddle
Recreation Road (marina access road) and routes visitors north before ending at the Lime
Saddle Group Campground.
Road Closure for Tree Removal
DWR and its partners at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Butte County
Sheriff’s Office are closing a portion of Oro Dam Blvd. East between Canyon Drive and
Oro Powerhouse Road for hazard tree removal. A full road closure will be in
effect Monday, March 23 through Thursday, March 26 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
DWR is taking advantage of the closure to remove large hazard trees and perform routine
fuel load reduction activities to minimize fire risk in areas surrounding Lake Oroville.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan is dedicated to reducing wildfire risk, enhancing
public safety, and improving forest health around Lake Oroville. During vegetation
management activities some trails within the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area may be
intermittently closed. Trail users should use caution in active work areas and follow all
posted signage.
Golden Mussel Inspection Program
DWR has moved its invasive mussel inspection/decontamination facilities at the North
Thermalito Forebay to the paved RV parking lot near the entrance. Watercraft owners
should turn right once past the main entrance. Signage is posted to help direct
traffic. 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 9 p.m.
Spillway
Bidwell Canyon
Ramp hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Lime Saddle
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)
Feather River Fish Monitoring Station
DWR resumed operations of the Feather River fish monitoring station on March 4, 2026 to
capture the return of spring-run Chinook salmon. Monitoring was temporarily suspended
at the end of December 2025 due to anticipated high flows in the Feather River. Upstream
migrating fish totals between March 4-18, 2026 are:
Spring-run Chinook salmon: 20
Steelhead: 3
To see previous year data, visit CalFish.org.
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 873 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.02 million acre-feet
(MAF), which is 88 percent of its total capacity and 126 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 at 4,850 cfs for a total Feather River release of 5,500 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 3/19/2026.
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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