Dale Kolke/California Department of Water Resources. For Editorial Use Only.
Oroville, California March 17, 2017 – As part of its ongoing management of water flows, the Department of Water Resources will increase outflows from Lake Oroville to the Feather River from the current 13,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 50,000 cfs between 11 AM and 2 PM on Friday, March 17 and then maintain those higher flows.
These flow levels will be achieved by reducing releases from the Hyatt Powerplant and then adding releases through the regular Oroville Dam gated flood control spillway. The Feather River elevation will rise between 10 and 15 feet early Friday afternoon, depending on channel geometry and location.
Anglers, boaters, and other river users are advised to be aware of the increase in flows, as the river will become deeper and swifter.
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.