Lake Oroville Community Update: September 27, 2019

California Natural Resources Agency to Host Inaugural Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission Meeting Sept. 30

A new commission tasked with providing public feedback related to the Oroville Dam and its facilities will hold its inaugural meeting on Monday, September 30. The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to Noon at the Southside Oroville Community Center, 2959 Lower Wyandotte Road, Oroville, CA 95966, in the community center’s Multipurpose Room.

The Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission, created by Senate Bill 955 (Nielsen) in 2018, establishes a new forum for discussing issues related to the Oroville Dam facilities. The goal of the Commission is to act as a unified voice for the communities surrounding Oroville Dam. The Commission, housed within the California Natural Resources Agency and chaired by CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot, will receive information from state agencies and accept public input regarding the Oroville Dam, including its appurtenant structures, the Feather River Fish Hatchery, and the Oroville-Thermalito Complex.

The agenda and additional information can be found at the Oroville Dam Citizens Advisory Commission web page. 

Oroville’s Salmon Festival to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary

Each year the Oroville Salmon Festival celebrates the return of salmon to the Feather River. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary in historic downtown Oroville and the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Always held on the fourth Saturday in September, the September 28 event will include a full outdoor sports expo to promote the Oroville area’s recreation opportunities. DWR staff will lead tours of the Hatchery’s spawning operations, which enable millions of Chinook salmon to be returned to the river every spring. Those who want to see the salmon in their natural habitat can sign up for “Float with the Salmon” raft trips down the Feather River. DWR biologists accompanying each raft will offer on-the-water education about the salmonid life cycle and river habitat. Kid’s activities, food, music, street fair and informational booths, including a health fair sponsored by Oroville Hospital, are certain to make this anniversary event one to remember.

For details, visit: https://www.visitoroville.com/salmon-festival.html.

Fuel Load Management Project Receives Four-legged Help

More than 500 goats and sheep will assist DWR to maintain a fuel reduction project completed during the winter of 2016-17 by DWR and the Butte County Fire Safe Council. The project will take place on the steep hillsides around Lime Saddle’s Parrish Cove for approximately 7-10 days beginning September 27. Grazing is gaining popularity as a sustainable method to minimize risk and lessen the spread of wildfire through vegetation management. The grazing area will be cordoned off by an electric fence and warning signs will be posted for public safety. Shepherds will be present to protect animals and the public is urged to stay clear of the electric fence and keep pets away so the goats and sheep are not disturbed.

Spillway Construction Site Office Trailers to Temporarily Relocate to Upper Overlook          

As construction winds down at the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery Project, four construction office trailers will be temporarily relocated during September and early October to the Upper Overlook parking lot. The offices are expected to remain in the parking lot for at least two months. Public parking at the Upper Overlook will not be impacted.

Public Access to the Spillway Boat Ramp Area and Dam Crest Road

As a reminder, the Spillway Boat Ramp area and parking lots are open to the public Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The area remains closed Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction. DWR plans to open the Spillway Boat Ramp seven days a week this fall once major construction activities are completed, although access may be restricted again when site rehabilitation work begins in spring 2020.

Walkers, joggers and bicyclists continue to enjoy daily access to the pedestrian lane on the lakeside of Dam Crest Road from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., as well as parking at the Upper Overlook. For safety considerations, the public can only drive across Dam Crest Road in alignment with the operating hours of the Spillway Boat Ramp, which are Friday through Sunday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Dam Crest Road is closed to public vehicle access Monday through Thursday to accommodate ongoing construction.

Lake Level

The current elevation of Oroville reservoir is 806 feet, and water releases from Hyatt Powerplant are approximately 7,400 cubic feet per second (cfs). In additional to water supply deliveries, releases from Lake Oroville supplement the natural flows of the Feather River to meet environmental needs and Delta salinity standards. Local farmers who receive water from Lake Oroville dropped their diversions in early September for the harvest but will be increasing in October for rice stubble decomposition and migratory bird habitat. Coordinated releases from the federal Central Valley Project and the State Water Project from Lake Oroville help to balance conditions throughout the Sacramento Valley watershed.

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