Lake Oroville Update - March 27, 2026

DWR Conserving Water Storage at Lake Oroville

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is conserving as much water as possible at Lake Oroville as dry conditions continue in the Feather River watershed. Water operations at the facility continue to meet federal guidelines for downstream flood protection and state environmental regulations.

Between mid-September 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 storage space that is reserved to capture inflows from rain and snowmelt, while protecting downstream communities from damaging flood events through coordinated releases. To maintain this storage space, DWR conducts flood protection releases from Lake Oroville. Some water released from Oroville for flood control is captured downstream for beneficial uses by local landowners, communities, and the State Water Project. Releases from Oroville Dam also support Feather River habitat for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and other river species.

DWR coordinates releases to the Feather River closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other downstream water operators. DWR advises Feather River recreation users 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: 875 feet elevation

• Current Storage: 89 percent of capacity

• Total Releases to the Feather River: 2,100 cubic feet per second (cfs); reducing to 1,750 cfs on Sunday, March 29

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 and allow for carryover storage into the following year.

Feather River Forks Open

DWR's Civil Maintenance staff have removed log booms from the south, middle, west, and north forks of the Feather River that feed into Lake Oroville, permitting access to the lake further up the forks, including views of Feather Falls. During the winter months, crews use log booms to collect woody debris during high water inflow periods and prevent it from reaching the larger body of the lake.

Crews will continue woody vegetation collection this spring at Lake Oroville. Floating debris removal ensures continued infrastructure operations and the safety of the recreating public on Lake Oroville. However, boaters and other water recreationists should take precautions when operating watercraft on Lake Oroville and should remain alert for floating debris.

Oroville Wildflower & Nature Festival

The Feather River Recreation & Park District (FRRPD) is hosting its annual Wildflower & Nature Festival at Riverbend Park in Oroville on Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free to the festival with activities highlighting the area's natural resources and booths showcasing handmade Butte County products. Activities and entertainment will be available for all ages including children's crafts, river kayak tours, live music, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden.

Make sure to stop by DWR's booth for information about the Lake Oroville Visitor Center and Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, and a craft activity for kids - making acorn cap necklaces. More information about the Wildflower & Nature Festival is available on FRRPD's website.

Golden Mussel Inspection Program

DWR has moved its invasive mussel inspection/decontamination facilities at the North Thermalito Forebay to the paved RV parking lot near the entrance. Watercraft owners should turn right once past the main entrance. Signage is posted to help direct traffic. 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.

Sealed Vessel Launching

Lake Oroville

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

• Spillway
• Bidwell Canyon

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

• Lime Saddle
• 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)

Feather River Fish Monitoring Station

DWR resumed operations of the Feather River fish monitoring station on March 4, 2026 to capture the return of spring-run Chinook salmon. Monitoring was temporarily suspended at the end of December 2025 due to anticipated high flows in the Feather River. Upstream migrating fish totals between March 4-20, 2026 are:

• Spring-run Chinook salmon: 145
• Steelhead: 1
• To see previous year data, visit CalFish.org.

Current Lake Operations

Lake Oroville is at 875 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.06 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 89 percent of its total capacity and 124 percent of the historical average.

Feather River flows are at 650 cfs through the City of Oroville with releases from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet at 1,450 cfs for a total Feather River release of 2,100 cfs downstream. Releases from the Outlet will reduce to 1,100 cfs on March 29 for a total Feather River release of 1,750 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 11:59 p.m. on 3/26/2026.