Lake Oroville Update - February 28, 2025
A new wooden foot bridge spans a small stream that cuts through the Brad Freeman Trail near the Hyatt Powerplant. 
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 watershed conditions returning, DWR has reduced releases from Lake Oroville to conserve as much water supply as possible in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 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 USACE. 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 water releases. Releases to the Feather River are coordinated closely with USACE and other downstream water operators.
The information below reflects current reservoir level estimates. Forecasts can change quickly and may affect the estimates provided.
- Current Oroville Reservoir Level: 862 feet elevation
- Current Storage Capacity: 84 percent
- Total Releases to the Feather River: 10,400 cubic feet per second (cfs); reducing to 10,100 cfs on Saturday
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.
Trails Reopen After Thompson Fire
DWR and the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) have reopened additional Lake Oroville State Recreation Area trails that were damaged by the July 2024 Thompson Fire. State Parks has rebuilt the Potter’s Ravine foot bridge, which will also permit public access to the North Fork trail. In addition, the east portions of the Brad Freeman and Dan Beebe trails from the base of Oroville Dam’s main spillway to Canyon Drive have reopened.
DWR and State Parks continue to assess fire impacts to recreation facilities and prioritize recovery efforts. Trail users should remain alert during recreation activities as State Parks continues trail repairs and brush removal using heavy equipment.
Closures remain in effect at the following locations:
- Brad Freeman Trail between the Fish Barrier Dam and Oroville Dam’s main spillway
- Dan Beebe Trail between the Lakeland Boulevard Trail Access and Oroville Dam’s main spillway
- Lakeland Boulevard Trail Access
- Potter’s Point Trail
- Potter’s Ravine Spur Trail
- Dead Cow Ravine Trail and Gobbler’s Knob
DWR, State Parks, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (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.
Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission
The California Natural Resources Agency is hosting its 19th Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission meeting on Friday, March 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The virtual public meeting will include presentations and an opportunity for public comment. Presentations will cover a briefing from the Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency and the City of Oroville on the status of the Oroville levee, an explanation of the typical components of Water Control Manuals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and an update on the Commission’s 2025 Legislative Report. The Citizens Advisory Commission is a forum for questions and feedback from communities surrounding Oroville Dam. For information about the meeting, please visit the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission website.
Partial Thermalito Afterbay Closure
Speed boat time trials are returning to the Thermalito Afterbay March 8-9. The event requires the closure of the southern portion of the Afterbay (south of Highway 162), the Monument Hill boat ramp, and the Larkin Road cartop boat launch. The Wilbur Road boat ramp and areas north of Hwy 162 will remain open for public use during the boating event.
The event is hosted by the Northern California Outboard Association and East Bay Boat Club and features a mile-long course. Time trial events are expected Saturday and Sunday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. depending on weather and water conditions. More information about the event can be found on the American Power Boat Association webpage.
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, CDFW, State Parks, local tribes, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council.
Current Lake Operations
Lake Oroville is at 862 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.87million acre-feet (MAF), which is 84 percent of its total capacity and 130 percent of the historical average.
Feather River flows are at 1,600 cfs through the City of Oroville with 8,800 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 10,400 cfs downstream. Total Feather River releases will decrease to 10,100 cfs on March 1 with flows through the City of Oroville reduced to 1,300 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 2/27/2025.
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