Lake Oroville Update - March 6, 2026

DWR Conserving Water Storage at Lake Oroville

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will reduce water releases from Oroville Dam on Saturday with dry conditions returning in the Feather River watershed. DWR continues to conserve as much water as possible while continuing 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 of the 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: 871 feet elevation

• Current Storage: 87 percent of capacity

• Total Releases to the Feather River: 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs); reducing to 9,000 cfs on March 7

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.

Annual Christmas Tree Fish Habitat Project Completed

DWR, the California Conservation Corps (CCC), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), have completed construction of new fish habitat structures at Lake Oroville and the Thermalito Afterbay using approximately 1,900 recycled Christmas trees.

Each year, trees are collected by Chico Scout Troop 2 and delivered to DWR by Recology, a local waste management company. These donated holiday trees are repurposed to help improve the local fisheries.

To create the habitats, CCC crews bundle the recycled trees together and anchor them to the lakebed in strategic locations. At Lake Oroville, near the Bidwell Saddle Dam, 1,393 trees were assembled into 32 habitat structures. At the Thermalito Afterbay, 498 trees were assembled into 50 structures. Once anchored, the trees remain submerged as water levels rise, providing important shelter for juvenile fish. These structures support fish populations by creating safe refuge, spawning, and feeding areas, and help enhance recreational fishing opportunities.

For more than 30 years, DWR has partnered with local organizations on this effort, making it one of the longest continuously running warmwater fish habitat improvement programs in California.

Partial Thermalito Afterbay Closure

Speedboat time trials are returning to the Thermalito Afterbay March 14-15. 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 on Saturday and Sunday. The Wilbur Road boat ramp remains closed to trailered launching due to DWR's invasive mussel prevention program. Watercraft launching from this site must be hand launch only. In addition, 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 the Butte County Sheriff's Office are closing a portion of Oro Dam Blvd. East between Canyon Drive and Oro Powerhouse Road for hazard tree removal. A full road closure will be in effect Monday through Thursday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. March 16-19 and March 23-26. DWR is taking advantage of the closure to remove large hazard trees and perform 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.

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 4:30 p.m.

Starting March 8: 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 6:30 p.m.

Starting March 8: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Spillway

Ramp hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Starting March 8: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Bidwell Canyon

Ramp hours: Monday-Thursday 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Starting March 8: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Lime Saddle

Ramp hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Starting March 8: Daily from 5 a.m. to 9 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)

Current Lake Operations

Lake Oroville is at 871 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.99 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 87 percent of its total capacity and 132 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 9,350 cfs for a total Feather River release of 10,000 cfs downstream. Releases from the Outlet will reduce to 8,350 cfs on March 7 for a total Feather River release of 9,000 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 11:59 p.m. on 3/5/2026.