Due to a series of intense winter storms, Lake Oroville has decreased by 40 feet since the beginning of summer, when the water level was at maximum capacity.
To cope with the incoming water, the California Department of Water Resources initiated the release of water from the primary spillway of the reservoir earlier this year. The precipitation also enhanced the snowpack, enabling a steady and frequently significant flow into the lake. Both the lake and the Oroville Dam are supervised by the California Department of Water Resources.

Due to the slowing of the thaw and the dryness of summer, the lake’s water level has once again been reduced, currently standing at an altitude of 856.95 feet as of 4 p.M. On Tuesday. After the storms, the lake came close to reaching its maximum capacity of 900 feet, a milestone that had not been achieved in years and months. As a result of this occurrence.
According to Raquel Borayo, the spokesperson for DWR, the inflows for this week ranged from 2,000 to 3,000 cubic feet per second. The highest amount of snowpack runoff happened in late April, during which the average daily inflow was approximately 27,000 cubic feet per second.
While the winter season is still far away, Borrayo mentioned that DWR is preparing for the potential of another rainy winter.
Borrayo stated that the Division of Water Operations at the Department of Water Resources (DWR) closely monitors long-range forecasts to predict and determine whether additional water release is needed to account for incoming storms and their impacts. In order to retain additional space in the lake for increased runoff from winter and fall storms, and to provide flood control protection for downstream communities, the DWR begins adjusting reservoir levels in accordance with the Army Corps of Engineers’ Manual for Water Control. This preparation is done every year, regardless of the winter season.

Borrayo mentioned that it is still too premature to determine with certainty what the upcoming winter will bring.
Borrayo stated, “It is still too early to tell what the mean precipitation for this winter may be, but predictions from the Climate Predications are leaning more strongly towards an upcoming El Niño event. DWR is closely watching climate developments to prepare for either dry or wet conditions.”
According to Borrayo, the present discharge from the reservoir is approximately 7,400 cfs. The rapidly decreasing water level has not been sufficient to significantly impact the precipitation. Gentle storms have partially alleviated the ongoing summer heat.
Despite the changing conditions, the lake is still considerably fuller on this day in 2022, with a height of 708.79 feet, which is preceded by 631 feet in 2021.
Lake Oroville boat ramps and recreational areas are still open and the water is still accessible to the general public.