California Department of Water Resources

Boaters may notice lower water levels at the Thermalito Afterbay this month as DWR minimizes water fluctuations to support a Western Snowy Plover and her fledglings, a threatened bird species. While water levels remain within the normal operating range for the Afterbay, the shallower water levels can present a hazard to boaters. Please be advised of a temporary shallow water hazard in the Afterbay located near the corner where East Hamilton Road and Highway 99 meet. DWR civil maintenance crews are placing a hazard buoy in the vicinity. The location may also be viewed on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kZVoAnJpt7YCcARv6

California State Parks at the Lake Oroville State Recreational Area and DWR have temporarily reopened the Lakeland Boulevard Trailhead, Powerhouse Road Trailhead, and portions of the Brad Freeman and Dan Beebe trails that run along the south side of the Diversion Pool between the Fish Barrier Dam and Oro Powerhouse Road. The trails and trailhead have been closed since June 2025 for a DWR construction project that is replacing power and fiber-optic communication lines that support the Hyatt Powerplant, Feather River Fish Hatchery, and Thermalito Diversion Dam facilities. Prior to the start of DWR’s fiber optic and communication line project, numerous trails and trailheads along the Diversion Pool and in Potter’s Ravine were closed due to extensive damage from the July 2024 Thompson Fire. State Parks trail crews have worked diligently to reopen many of these, and the Brad Freeman and Dan Beebe trails have been cleared enough to temporarily reopen to the public.

Check out these before and after photos of the Brad Freeman Trail along the Diversion Pool and read more in the Lake Oroville Community Update https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2026/Jun-2026/Lake-Oroville-Update-June-19

Celebrating a new milestone for groundwater recharge. 💧🌱

Today, Fresno Irrigation District and the California Department of Water Resources celebrated the completion of the Carter Bybee Groundwater Recharge Basin alongside representatives from the Bureau of Reclamation.

The 35-acre basin is expected to provide an average annual recharge benefit of 840 acre-feet and will help replenish groundwater supplies, supporting long-term water reliability for nearby growers, communities, and residents.

The project was funded in part through:
💧$932,000 DWR SGMA Implementation Grant
💧$2 million USBR WaterSMART Drought Resiliency Program Grant

These investments highlight the important role state and federal funding programs play in supporting local groundwater recharge projects in response to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). As a member agency of the North Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency, FID is proud to contribute to regional efforts to achieve groundwater sustainability under SGMA.

The Thermalito Afterbay and surrounding Oroville Wildlife Area are managed for primitive and immersive wildlife experiences and for the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat areas. With 17 miles of shoreline and 4,300 surface acres of water, the Thermalito Afterbay provides an expansive area for watercraft use, with numerous opportunities for motorized and non-motorized vessels, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and hunting. Learn more in the Lake Oroville Community Update https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2026/Jun-2026/Lake-Oroville-Update-June-12

It’s National Rivers Month and we’re inviting you to stop by the Lake Oroville Visitor Center to celebrate the Feather River by learning more about this precious watershed through art. Now until June 21, you can show your appreciation for everything the Feather River provides by helping us complete our fun community artboard. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Thermalito Forebay provides a unique recreation experience compared to other geographic areas of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. Its relatively stable water elevation level, proximity to City of Oroville amenities, and developed day-use facilities provide an experience that is much different from Lake Oroville. Learn more about recreation opportunities at the North and South Thermalito Forebay day-use areas in the Lake Oroville Community Update https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2026/Jun-2026/Lake-Oroville-Update-June-3-2026

Pyramid Lake, Castaic Lake, and Castaic Lagoon in Los Angeles County have a caution advisories. Keep yourself and pets away from algal blooms.

For more, go to https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Algal-Blooms

One sign that the blue-green algae may be a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) is smell. HABs can produce toxins that can make people & animals sick. DWR urges you to avoid contact with algal blooms and follow posted HAB advisories. You can find more information at https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Algal-Blooms

Blue-green algae can be present in California’s reservoirs. One sign that the blue-green algae has become a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) is color. HABs can produce toxins that can make people & animals sick. More info on HABs at https://water.ca.gov/What-We-Do/Recreation/Algal-Blooms

Lake Oroville is at 895 feet elevation and storage is approximately 3.35 million acre-feet (MAF), which is 98% of its total capacity and 119% of the historical average.

Feather River flows are at 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) through the City of Oroville with releases from the Thermalito Afterbay River Outlet at 2,350 cfs for a total Feather River release of 3,000 cfs downstream. DWR continues to assess Feather River releases daily.

To read more on Lake Oroville, please visit:

https://water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2026/May-2026/Lake-Oroville-Update-May-29-2026