Lake Oroville Update - October 10, 2025

Exercising at Oroville Dam

While Oroville Dam serves a critical role in providing flood protection to downstream communities, it is also a prime location for physical fitness. A 1.3-mile paved road and separated two-lane multi-use path runs the length of the dam's crest, offering an opportunity for exercise while enjoying scenic views of both Lake Oroville and the valley. Free parking is available on either side of the dam's crest with restroom facilities located at the intersection of Canyon Drive and Oroville Dam Crest Road. Additional nearby parking is available at the Oroville Dam Crest Overlook, with a short path connecting to the dam crest road. For early birds or late-night fitness enthusiasts, the dam crest path is fully lit, making it a great location for free outdoor recreation during the shorter daylight hours of the fall and winter months.

Those looking for additional hiking or biking opportunities may use the Oroville Dam Crest trail to connect to an additional 92 miles of trails throughout the Oroville area. An interactive map of recreation facilities, including open trails and their permitted uses (hike, bike, horse, multi), is available on the Lake Oroville Recreation webpage. A paper trail map is available at various locations, including most entrance kiosks and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.

Loafer Creek Fuel Reduction Activities

As part of ongoing fuel reduction work within the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (LOSRA), the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is coordinating with the Butte County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), the California Conservation Corps (CCC), and CAL FIRE to remove hazardous fuels in the Loafer Creek area. Crews are continuing to prepare areas along State Route 162 and near the Loafer Creek campgrounds and boat launch. Prescribed burning is tentatively scheduled for the week of Oct. 20, depending on weather conditions and CAL FIRE crew availability.

In addition, a CAL FIRE grant-funded project supported by DWR, the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), the Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC), and the Mooretown Rancheria of Maidu Indians began additional fuel reduction work this week in the Loafer Creek area near State Route 162. Approximately 140 acres will be treated by hand crews and heavy equipment over the next several months.

During vegetation management activities some trails within the Loafer Creek area may be intermittently closed. Trail users should use caution in active work areas and follow all posted signage. Oroville-area residents should expect to see smoke from prescribed fires in the coming weeks.

DWR appreciates the public's cooperation and understanding as it works to reduce wildfire risk, increase public safety, and support long-term land management goals. Vegetation management remains a top priority for DWR and its partners.

Golden Mussel Inspection Program

DWR is alerting water recreators to upcoming changes to boat ramp hours that will take effect as of Monday, Oct. 13. 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.

Starting Nov. 3: Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sealed Vessel Launching

Lake Oroville

Ramp hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Starting Oct. 13: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Spillway

Starting Oct. 13: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Bidwell Canyon

Ramp hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Starting Oct. 13: Monday-Thursday 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Lime Saddle

Ramp hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Starting Oct. 13: Daily from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• 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)

Paving and Sealing Work Ongoing

DWR is continuing work on a $1.9 million paving and sealing project to rehabilitate seven locations owned and maintained by the department that are heavily used by maintenance staff and members of the public. Project work is expected to continue through November 2025. Vintage Paving Company, Inc. of Winters, Calif. is the contractor for the project.

Upcoming construction work will require closures to the following public areas:

• Aug. 18 - Oct. 31: Afterbay Dam Crest Road/Brad Freeman Trail south of State Route 162 to the East Hamilton Road Trail Access

Additional locations for future paving, sealing, and guardrail work include:

• Thermalito Powerplant Access Roads
• Thermalito Diversion Dam Powerplant

• Oroville Field Division Operations and Maintenance Center at Glen Drive
• Canyon Drive from the intersection of Oroville Dam Blvd. E./Royal Oaks Drive heading north to the dam and upper overlook
• Oroville Dam Boulevard East near Oro Powerhouse Road

DWR will provide more details about scheduled work and potential public access impacts in future newsletters. Work schedules are subject to change based on weather and the availability of equipment and materials.

Feather River Fish Monitoring Station

Between Jan. 30 and April 20, high flows in the Feather River required the temporary removal of fish monitoring equipment resulting in lower spring-run estimates. Upstream migrating fish totals through the Feather River Fish Monitoring Station between Jan. 1 and Oct. 4, 2025 are:

• Spring-run Chinook salmon (April 16 through June 30): 17,733
• Fall-run Chinook salmon (July 1 through present): 8,609
• Steelhead: 508
• To see previous year data, visit CalFish.org.

Current Lake Operations

Lake Oroville is at 785 feet elevation and storage is approximately 1.94 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 57 percent of its total capacity and 103 percent of the historical average.

Feather River flows are at 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with 4,350 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 5,000 cfs downstream. DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily with flow anticipated to decrease through early next week to a total Feather River release of 2,450 cfs.

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 10/9/2025.