HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.27.26 Board Correspondence - FW_ Lake Oroville Community Update - March 27, 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 27, 2026
Date:Friday, March 27, 2026 4:04:38 PM
Please see Board Correspondence -
From: California Natural Resources Agency <CNRA@public.govdelivery.com>
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2026 2:31 PM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: Lake Oroville Community Update - March 27, 2026
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Lake Oroville Community Update
March 27, 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: 875 feet elevation
Current Storage: 89 percent of capacity
Total Releases to the Feather River: 2,100 cubic feet per second (cfs); reducing
to 1,750 cfs on Sunday, March 29
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.
Feather River Forks Open
DWR’s Civil Maintenance staff have removed log booms from the south, middle, west, and
north forks of the Feather River that feed into Lake Oroville, permitting access to the lake
further up the forks, including views of Feather Falls. During the winter months, crews use
log booms to collect woody debris during high water inflow periods and prevent it from
reaching the larger body of the lake.
Crews will continue woody vegetation collection this spring at Lake Oroville. Floating
debris removal ensures continued infrastructure operations and the safety of the
recreating public on Lake Oroville. However, boaters and other water recreationists should
take precautions when operating watercraft on Lake Oroville and should remain alert for
floating debris.
Oroville Wildflower & Nature Festival
The Feather River Recreation & Park District (FRRPD) is hosting its annual Wildflower &
Nature Festival at Riverbend Park in Oroville on Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is free to the festival with activities highlighting the area’s natural resources and
booths showcasing handmade Butte County products. Activities and entertainment will be
available for all ages including children’s crafts, river kayak tours, live music, food trucks,
and a beer and wine garden.
Make sure to stop by DWR’s booth for information about the Lake Oroville Visitor Center
and Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, and a craft activity for kids – making acorn cap
necklaces. More information about the Wildflower & Nature Festival is available
on FRRPD’s website.
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 4-20, 2026 are:
Spring-run Chinook salmon: 145
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
Steelhead: 1
To see previous year data, visit CalFish.org.
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 875 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.06 million acre-feet
(MAF), which is 89 percent of its total capacity and 124 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 1,450 cfs for a total Feather River release of 2,100 cfs
downstream. Releases from the Outlet will reduce to 1,100 cfs on March 29 for a total
Feather River release of 1,750 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 3/26/2026.
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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