The Department of Water Resources (DWR) continues to operate the flood control spillway and Hyatt Powerplant to manage outflows from Lake Oroville.

DWR resumed operation of the flood control spillway at 11 a.m. Friday, March 17. Outflows from the spillway are approximately 40,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Flows from Hyatt Powerplant are around 6,750 cfs.

Boaters on Lake Oroville are advised that as a result of the current outflows lake levels are dropping approximately 4 feet per day.

Inflows to the lake are between 16,000 cfs and 25,000 cfs. Lake elevation is 856 feet, 45 feet below the emergency spillway.

Outflows and river levels will remain steady for approximately one week before being reduced again. The increased flows will continue to leave sufficient storage in Lake Oroville to take on more water from rain or snowmelt. DWR does not expect wet weekend weather to interfere with operations.

Boaters, anglers, and others who use the river are advised to be aware of swifter river conditions. The total flow to the Feather River is approximately 48,000 cfs. DWR advises the public to avoid the river for the next week.

For information on lake conditions – including lake levels, inflows, and outflows – visit the Oroville Reservoir page on the California Data Exchange Center.