DWR: Lake Oroville Offers Many Recreation Attractions in Scenic Northern California Setting.

News Editors

OROVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2002

Vacation season recreation opportunities abound at Lake Oroville, one of California's biggest reservoirs. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing, bicycling, and horseback riding are on tap at this often-overlooked gem of a Northern California lake, 75 miles north of Sacramento.

Boat launching ramps, a marina, boat-in camps, and floating campsites make Lake Oroville attractive to boaters, as do the lake's 167 miles of forested shoreline and more than 15,000 surface acres. Lake Oroville has both cold and warm water fisheries, with excellent bass fishing.

Oroville Dam is the nation's tallest, rising 770 feet above the floor of the upper Sacramento Valley. The dam crest commands a sweeping view of the valley, including the Sutter Buttes. Second in size only to Lake Shasta among California reservoirs, Lake Oroville usually is tranquil when most other parks and lakes are packed with people.

Many Campsites Available

Major campsites include the 51-site Lime Saddle Campground, dedicated last July, Loafer Creek Campground with more than 130 individual camp sites and six group sites, the 74-camp site Bidwell Canyon Campground, and more than 80 boat-in only campsites.

Horse riders can enjoy an equestrian trail and horse campsite, while bicyclists can test their stamina on a 41-mile mountain bike trail with varying terrain.

Most recreational facilities at the lake are located within the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area administered and operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. (For State Parks Oroville recreational information, call 530/538-2200.)

Visitors Center

The Lake Oroville Visitors Center overlooking the lake is open free of charge, providing visitors with information on lake recreation and history. With a 47-foot viewing tower, the Visitors Center orients visitors to lake attractions and provides displays and videos dramatically telling the history of Oroville Dam's construction and operation. The Visitors Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. (The phone number for the Visitors Center is 530/538-2219.)

The Northern California heart of the State Water Project, Oroville Dam was completed in 1967, creating Lake Oroville. The lake provides water for storage, flood control, recreation, power generation, and water for delivery. Like other SWP facilities, Oroville Dam and Lake Oroville are operated by the Department of Water Resources (DWR).

In addition to the lake, water recreation is available also in the nearby Thermalito bays. Power boating and fishing are the big attractions at Thermalito South Forebay while only non-motorized boating (sailboats and canoes) is permitted on Thermalito North Forebay. The Thermalito Afterbay features boating, swimming, and fishing.

Multi-Purpose Lake Oroville

Lake Oroville serves multiple water uses, including regional flood protection and lake recreation, Feather River fisheries and Delta water quality, and export and delivery via the SWP. Oroville releases go to Butte and Sutter county users, Feather River fisheries and Delta protection, and for SWP export.

As is the case with other multi-purpose reservoirs, Lake Oroville's surface level fluctuates during the year as the lake performs its various water supply, storage, quality, and flood control functions, DWR officials note.

Lake Oroville levels will peak during May, with lake elevation projected to rise to between 840 feet and 850 feet. The lake level will decline gradually during the summer. By November, the lake level is forecasted to dip below 700 feet. This will provide ample space in the reservoir for the coming flood season.

Boaters who prefer constant surface levels may prefer to recreate on the forebays, whose levels do not fluctuate, rather than the main lake.

Salmon Production

The Feather River Fish Hatchery, below Oroville Dam, produces large quantities of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout annually. The fish hatchery, built by DWR and operated by the Department of Fish and Game, was modernized and expanded in recent years. Handicap-accessible, the fish hatchery recently was posted with new informational signage to maximize visitor enjoyment and learning.

Regional Attractions

In addition to Lake Oroville's many recreational opportunities, the lake area offers access to nearby attractions. These include the distinctive presence of Table Mountain, a mighty landmark overlooking Oroville, and access via trails and the lake to Feather Falls, at 640 feet high the sixth highest waterfall in the United States.

One of the area's interesting historic sites is the Bidwell Bar Suspension Bridge, built in 1856, first of its kind west of the Mississippi River. A dramatic chapter in the region's early history is commemorated by the Ishi Monument. It memorializes Ishi, the last of Yahi Indians.

Two good sources for Oroville regional information and attractions are the Oroville Visitor and Tourism Bureau (888/OROVILLE) and the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce (800/655-GOLD).

For more information on Lake Oroville recreation, visit DWR's "Welcome to Lake Oroville" website at: http://wwwdwr.water.ca.gov/LakeOroville.

DWR Lake Oroville Recreational Projects

(Since Oroville Dam was completed in 1968)

-- Feather River Fish Hatchery expansion

-- Lime Saddle Campground (Dedicated, July 2001), 51 sites

-- Loafer Creek Campground, 137 campsites, plus six group sites

-- Boat-in camps, 89 individual sites plus 12 group sites

-- 10 Floating Campsites

-- Monument Hill, concrete launch ramp, picnic areas

-- Wilbur Road, concrete launch ramp and parking

-- 41-mile Mountain Bike Trail

-- Equestrian group camp, 15 sites and restrooms

-- Aquatic Center

-- RV Parking at North Forebay

-- Picnic Area and Swim Beach at South Forebay