Salmon Habitat Project Complete

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) has completed construction on a salmonid habitat improvement project in the Feather River near the Feather River Fish Hatchery and Bedrock Park in Oroville. The project placed approximately 9,000 cubic yards of gravel at multiple locations to improve existing spawning habitat sites. Salmonid access to existing river side channels was also improved by excavating and redistributing accumulated streambed material. Migratory fish species such as Chinook salmon and steelhead trout rely on Feather River spawning habitats along the low-flow channel, where most spawning activity occurs. Female salmonids lay their eggs in nests called “redds” using coarse sediment, such as clean, rounded gravel.

The project was primarily funded by two grants: the State of California Natural Resource Agency Prop 68 – Protecting California’s Rivers, Streams and Watershed Grant Program, and the Central Valley Project Improvement Act – Fish and Wildlife Restoration Activities supported by the U.S. Department of Interior. Previous DWR Feather River spawning restoration projects included the placement of 8,300 cubic yards of spawning gravel in 2014 and another 5,000 cubic yards in 2017.

New Hours for Visitor Center

The Lake Oroville Visitor Center is now open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the 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.  

The Visitor Center also has a new, small library area featuring educational books for children on topics such as nature, the water cycle, science, and engineering. Parents, caregivers, and young children are encouraged to enjoy these books during their visit, with designated seating areas in the lobby or throughout the museum. Parking and admission to the Visitor Center are free.

Explore the Thermalito Afterbay

The Thermalito Afterbay provides an expansive area for watercraft use, with numerous opportunities for motorized and non-motorized vessels. The Thermalito Afterbay and surrounding Oroville Wildlife Area are managed for primitive and immersive wildlife experiences and for the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat areas. With 17 miles of shoreline and 4,300 surface acres of water, the Thermalito Afterbay is open for boating, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and hunting.

The Monument Hill boat ramp and day use area provides a two-lane ramp with a boarding dock, picnic tables, barbecues, restroom facilities, a fish cleaning station, and a swimming beach. North of the Highway 162 bridge, a 5-mph motorized watercraft speed limit provides opportunities for paddle sports, windsurfing, and fishing.  The Wilbur Road boat ramp on the northern side of the Afterbay and Larkin Road Car-top boat ramp on the southern side of the Afterbay provide additional launching facilities for water recreation, with vault restroom facilities at both locations.

Located within the Oroville Wildlife Area, campsites near the Afterbay Outlet offer primitive camping facilities with vault restrooms and trash receptacles.  The Thermalito Afterbay outlet is one of the most popular river fishing areas, particularly during salmon runs. To check hunting and fishing seasons and regulations, consult the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Several trails in the Afterbay area – Toland Road Trailhead, Tres Vias Trailhead, and East Hamilton Road Trailhead – connect with the popular Brad Freeman Trail for further exploration of the Oroville Wildlife Area. The East Hamilton Trailhead is the only facility with a picnic table and a small gravel parking area.

Oroville Recreation