Releases from Lake Oroville during the spring months help maintain storage capacity in the reservoir to capture runoff, while optimizing storage for the benefit of water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. Photo courtesy of Department of Water Resources

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - With warming temperatures and the mountain snowmelt season underway, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues to perform required flood protection releases from Lake Oroville using the main spillway and Hyatt Powerplant. Releases from Lake Oroville during the spring months help maintain storage capacity in the reservoir to capture runoff, while optimizing storage for the benefit of water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. Over the past week, DWR decreased total releases from Lake Oroville to account for reduced inflows into the reservoir. DWR coordinates releases closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other water operators and adjusts releases as needed to maintain balance throughout the water system.

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 Capacity: 89 percent  
-Total Releases to the Feather River: 7,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) 

Total releases to the Feather River amount to 7,000 cfs with 650 cfs being routed down the Low Flow Channel through the City of Oroville. An additional 6,350 cfs is being released from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet, located 5 miles downstream from Oroville. Feather River recreation users are advised to remain alert as river flows are expected to be swift and cold and may change based on projected weather forecasts.  

Lake Oroville 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 while meeting environmental requirements and allowing for carryover storage into next year.  

To read the full DWR Lake Oroville Update for April 12, 2024, please visit https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2024/Apr-24/Lake-Oroville-Update-4-12-2024