DWR Begins Required Flood Control Releases from Lake Oroville
Ahead of forecasted storms arriving this weekend, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has increased water releases to the Feather River from the Oroville-Thermalito Complex to maintain flood protection for downstream communities. With runoff into Lake Oroville projected to range between 50,000 to 120,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) by early next week, DWR is currently planning to start using Oroville Dam’s main spillway on Monday for additional flood control releases.
Between October and April, 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 must increase releases from Lake Oroville.
While weather conditions have largely remained dry in the southern part of California this water year, northern California received a series of atmospheric river-driven storms in late November and December to boost reservoir storage at Lake Oroville. Between Nov. 19 and Dec. 31, Lake Oroville’s elevation rose approximately 64 feet.
Releases to the Feather River are coordinated closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other downstream water operators. Feather River recreation 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: 840 feet elevation
- Current Storage Capacity: 75 percent
- Total Releases to the Feather River: 6,000 cfs; increasing to 12,000 cfs on Saturday; potentially increasing to 35,000 cfs on Monday
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. An update on planned Feather River releases will be provided Monday, Feb. 3.
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Brad Freeman Trail Improvements
DWR is nearing completion on a project to improve a 1.5-mile section of the Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and the Highway 70 Garden Drive overpass. DWR crews are currently installing a 4-foot-wide decomposed granite path alongside an 8-foot-wide asphalt path, which offers an improved recreation experience for trail users. The Brad Freeman Trail between Cherokee Road and Garden Drive may be closed intermittently during work, which is weather dependent and subject to change.
DWR also previously installed accessible gates at trail entrance points, which restrict vehicles while still providing access for equestrians, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Project improvements were supported by a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant through the National Park Service, with remaining funding for the $700,000 project provided by DWR.
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Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee
The Oroville Recreation Advisory Committee (ORAC) will hold a meeting on Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Southside Oroville 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.
Vegetation Management Activities
DWR has entered the final phase of its fuel load reduction efforts at Loafer Creek under a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Over the next several months, hand crews and heavy equipment operators will be working in the area to complete this critical wildfire prevention project. Phases I and II of the project, covering DWR property along Oro Dam Blvd. East and the Bidwell Canyon/Kelly Ridge area near the Lake Oroville Visitor Center, are now complete. In 2023, DWR secured $900,000 in HMGP funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support hazardous fuels reduction across 220 acres in the Lake Oroville area.
Additionally, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office crew is conducting post-burn cleanup efforts in the Loafer Creek area following CAL FIRE’s prescribed burn in October 2024. CAL FIRE hand crews and heavy equipment operators are also assisting as resources allow. These efforts focus on reducing wildfire risk by thinning vegetation through hand and mechanical methods, accompanied by chipping and pile burning.
As vegetation management continues, 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.
DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan is dedicated to reducing wildfire risk, enhancing public safety, and improving forest health around Lake Oroville. Vegetation management in this critical area remains a top priority for DWR and its partners, including CAL FIRE, the Butte County Fire Department, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the CA Conservation Corps (CCC), CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), CA State Parks, local tribes, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council.
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Oroville Recreation
DWR, State Parks, and CDFW maintain over 92 miles of trails in the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on DWR’s Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. A paper trail map is available at various locations, including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.
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.
Lake Oroville is one of the State Water Project’s premier recreational destinations and one of California’s best fishing spots. The lake provides both warm-water and cold-water fisheries, with excellent bass fishing opportunities during the fall and winter months. Be sure to check CDFW fishing regulations before fishing. The marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle are open daily and provide a variety of services including a convenience store, gas, boat rentals, and more.
Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Jan. 20, 2025 are:
- Fall-run Chinook salmon: 19
- Steelhead: 32
- To see previous year data, visit CalFish.org.
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Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 840 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.58 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 75 percent of its total capacity and 126 percent of the historical average.
Feather River flows are at 1,050 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 4,950 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 6,000 cfs downstream. Total Feather River releases will increase to 12,000 cfs on Saturday with flows increased to 2,000 cfs through the City of Oroville and Outlet releases at 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 midnight 1/30/2025.
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