Lake Oroville Update - February 21, 2025
A drone view of water levels at Bidwell Bar Bridge and (Left) Bidwell Canyon Marina at Lake Oroville in Butte County, California.
Flood Control Releases from Lake Oroville Continue
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues federally required flood control releases from Lake Oroville to maintain flood protection for downstream communities. Water is being released through the Hyatt Powerplant for energy production and from Oroville Dam’s main spillway. With drier weather returning and reduced inflows into Lake Oroville, DWR has decreased total Feather River flood control releases to 13,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Releases are subject to change based on ongoing weather conditions.
Between October 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 is required to release water from Lake Oroville.
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: 862.5 feet elevation
- Current Storage Capacity: 84 percent
- Total Releases to the Feather River: 13,000 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. Some water released from Lake Oroville is distributed locally for agriculture benefits, while the remaining Feather River releases flow south through the State Water Project system to reduce salinity effects in the Delta, provide irrigation for crops in the Central Valley, and eventually make their way to Southern California. DWR continues to monitor lake levels, weather forecasts, and mountain snow levels to optimize water storage while allowing for carryover storage into next year.
Road Closure for Tree Removal
DWR and its partners at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and Butte County Sheriff’s Office are closing a portion of Oro Dam Blvd. E. between Canyon Drive and Oro Powerhouse Road for tree and debris removal. A full road closure will be in effect Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. March. 10-14 and March 17-21. DWR is taking advantage of the closure to drop and clear large hazard trees that were damaged by the July 2024 Thompson Fire, in addition to performing 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.
Vegetation management remains a top priority for DWR and its partners, including CAL FIRE, the Butte County Fire Department, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, the CCC, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), local tribes, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council.
Brood Ponds Support Native Wildlife
Within the Oroville-Thermalito Complex, DWR maintains several areas that preserve and enhance wildlife habitat. Encompassed within the Thermalito Afterbay’s 17 miles of shoreline and 4,300 surface acres of water are numerous brood ponds that provide prime habitat and breeding areas for waterfowl and giant garter snakes, a protected species. While water levels at the Afterbay may fluctuate based on agriculture and hydropower operations, DWR ensures brood pond habitats remain stable. A flap gate outlet system permits water to flow into brood pond areas, raising water levels while preventing water from being released and maintaining a stable elevation for waterfowl nests and giant garter snakes. These measures ensure these species continue to thrive, upholding DWR’s commitment to protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.
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.
Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Jan. 29, 2025 are:
- Fall-run Chinook salmon: 23
- Steelhead: 63
- Ahead of anticipated increased river flows at the fish monitoring station, monitoring equipment has been removed, which will impact count estimates.
- To see previous year data, visit CalFish.org.
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 862.5 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.87million acre-feet (MAF), which is 84 percent of its total capacity and 132 percent of the historical average.
Feather River flows are at 3,000 cfs through the City of Oroville with 10,000 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 13,000 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 midnight 2/20/2025.