DWR Cosponsors Free July 4 Fireworks Display at Lake Oroville.

OROVILLE, Calif. -- For the 10th consecutive year, one of Northern California's greatest fireworks displays will take place at Lake Oroville on Monday, July 4, at no cost to the public. The 30-minute pyrotechnical display is scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m. at the huge State Water Project reservoir in scenic Butte County.

The holiday event attracts thousands to the Oroville Dam crest while others in boats watch spectacular skybursts in the night sky, reflected on the lake surface. The lake is filled nearly to its brim for this July 4 holiday.

For this 10th anniversary event, the Department of Water Resources again joins with the Sunrise Rotary Club of Oroville, City of Oroville, State Department of Parks and Recreation and local businesses in cosponsoring the Independence Day show.

Security concerns preclude vehicle parking on the dam, but food and nonalcoholic beverages will be available there from non-profit vendors.

The main road on the dam crest will be closed to vehicular traffic late Sunday afternoon. On the Monday holiday, free bus shuttle buses and vans sponsored by the City of Oroville will transport spectators from downtown Oroville to the dam.

Starting about 6 p.m., buses will run every 15 minutes in a loop from city parking lots in downtown Oroville. Shuttle vans will cover portions of the Kelly Ridge residential area.

Passengers may board buses at the bus stop behind Raley's on Spencer Street near Mitchell; Lot A in front of the Municipal Auditorium; Lot B on Bird Street at the corner of Downer Street; Lot C behind the State Theater; and Lot D at the corner of Robinson and Myers Streets. After the event, shuttle transportation will be available from the center of the Dam to downtown Oroville and the Kelly Ridge area.

Because July 4 falls on Monday this year, many visitors will enjoy a three-day weekend. This will provide ample time to enjoy the many boating, fishing, camping, hiking and riding opportunities at Lake Oroville. The lake has 167 miles of shoreline and a surface area of more than 15,000 acres.

The Department of Parks and Recreation operates the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, which offers land and floating campsites, boat ramps, riding trails and a group equestrian camp.

Parks officials remind holiday visitors of the following safety rules:

--Boats must stay outside the marked fireworks launching area.

--Boat running lights are required from sunset to sunrise.

--The speed limit on the lake is 5 mph starting at 30 minutes past sunset.

--Boats must stay 500 feet from the dam.

--If you boat, do not drink alcohol.

--Ground fires are prohibited.

DWR and Parks jointly operate the Lake Oroville Visitors Center at 917 Kelly Ridge Road. The Center offers exhibits about dam construction during the 1960s, the historic legacy of the Oroville region, more than 40 films free of charge, and access to easy walking nature trails. The Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Located about 75 miles north of Sacramento, Lake Oroville is easily reached via State Highway 70. Lake Oroville is the key Northern California storage reservoir of the State Water Project, storing up to 3.5 million acre-feet of water.

For more information, contact the Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-655-4653 or access an informational Web site at http://www.lakeoroville.net/.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.