Lake Oroville Update - August 8, 2025

Grazing Animals Reduce Fire Risk

Hillsides throughout the Loafer Creek Recreation Area near State Route 162 are looking different as goats and sheep from Hanski Family Farms are assisting the Department of Water Resources (DWR) with fuel reduction efforts on approximately 140 acres of property. Targeted grazing minimizes the rate of spread of a potential fire by reducing ground fuels, ladder fuels, and overgrown vegetation. The goats and sheep graze on grasses, leaves, poison oak, invasive weeds, and a variety of shrubs and trees. By standing on their hind legs, they can reduce ladder fuels up to four feet high.  

Grazing areas will be cordoned off with an electric fence for approximately 6-8 weeks and informational signs will be posted for public safety. Herdsmen and guard dogs will be present to protect the animals while they work. The public is urged to stay clear of the electric fence and keep pets away so the animals are not disturbed. 

The goat grazing project is a collaborative effort between the Butte Fire Safe Council, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), and DWR. The project is funded by CAL FIRE California Climate Investments Forest Health Program grants. This effort is part of DWR’s Fuel Load Management Plan, which is dedicated to reducing wildfire risk, enhancing public safety, and improving forest health around Lake Oroville. 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 CA Conservation Corps (CCC), CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), State Parks, local tribes, and the Butte County Fire Safe Council.

Caution Advisory Lifted for Middle Fork

The caution advisory for Lake Oroville’s Middle Fork has been lifted with the dissipation of an algal bloom. DWR first issued the caution advisory on Friday, July 3 after a bloom was observed by staff. Samples collected for laboratory analysis did not detect toxins within the bloom.

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is a natural component of ecosystems. Under certain conditions, including warmer temperatures and increased nutrient loads, algae can grow rapidly causing “blooms.” Algal blooms sometimes produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals.

What are signs of harmful algal blooms?

• Small blue-green, green, white, or brown particles in the water
• Streaks in the water that look like spilled paint
• Mats, scum, or foam at the surface or along the shoreline
• Can have an odor described as gasoline, septic, or fishy

DWR’s environmental scientists routinely monitor for blue-green algae and their toxins within the Oroville-Thermalito Complex. Monitoring occurs during the summer months with water samples taken at various locations regularly, which are sent to a lab for toxin analysis. If elevated levels of cyanobacteria toxins are found while testing, DWR staff will work with California’s Regional Water Quality Control Board and recreation area managers to notify the public and post advisory signs at affected waterbodies. To learn more about HABs, or to report a HAB visit the Water Board’s website.

Golden Mussel Inspection Program

DWR is reminding watercraft owners to bring their vessel’s keys with them for the invasive mussel inspection at the North Thermalito Forebay. Vessels must also have a working battery and be operational to complete and pass required inspections.

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 10 p.m.  

• Spillway  
• Bidwell Canyon

Extended Ramp hours: Daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.  

• Lime Saddle
• Loafer Creek

Thermalito Afterbay 

Ramp hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to one hour after sunset

• Monument Hill

Thermalito Forebay

Ramp Hours: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• North Forebay (Non-motorized vessels only)

Oroville Recreation

DWR, State Parks, and 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.  

Staffed by knowledgeable guides, the Lake Oroville Visitor Center features interpretive displays on Oroville Dam, area geology, wildlife and habitat, hydroelectric power, and cultural and historical artifacts. View videos in the theater about the construction of Oroville Dam, walk or hike along nearby trails, and visit the 47-foot-tall observation tower that provides unsurpassed panoramic views of surrounding areas. Free guided tours for school and community groups are available by reservation. Parking and admission to the Visitor Center are free.

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 August 2, 2025 are:  

• Spring-run Chinook salmon (April 16 through June 30): 17,732
• Fall-run Chinook salmon (July 1 through present): 397
• Steelhead: 189
• To see previous year data, visit CalFish.org.

Current Lake Operations

Lake Oroville is at 844 feet elevation and storage is approximately 2.63 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 77 percent of its total capacity and 115 percent of the historical average.

Feather River flows are at 1,200 cfs through the City of Oroville with 5,300 cfs being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet (Outlet) for a total Feather River release of 6,500 cfs downstream. 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 8/7/2025.