Misplaced Pages

#870129

40-556: The lake is a popular nationally renowned bass fishing location, while coho salmon are stocked from the Feather River Fish Hatchery. This hatchery is a main component of Lake Oroville. The local indigenous tribe were the Konkow Maidu (translation is 'man') who originally settled the lake region and Feather River for many years. Today many of the small towns including Oroville were originally occupied by

80-671: A 3 pounds (1.4 kg) white crappie. It is permitted all year long but a California sport fishing license is required. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a safe eating advisory for Lake Oroville based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in fish caught from this water body. Boating occurs year round, including waterskiing , wakeboarding , houseboats , PWC , and trolling . There are five multi-lane boat launch ramps. These are located at Bidwell Canyon, Loafer Creek, Spillway, Lime Saddle, Enterprise, Nelson Bar, Vinton Gulch, Foreman Creek, and Dark Canyon. Boat supplies and rentals are available on

120-444: A Mediterranean type climate with hot, dry summers and cool wet winters. A semi-permanent, high pressure area of the mid-Pacific Ocean dominates and controls the weather in northern California. During the summer this high-pressure cell pushes storm tracks into the north causing this hot dry summer. In winter, it moves south allowing storms to cross northern California bringing wetter and cooler winters. The annual average high temperature

160-406: A failure of the emergency spillway prompted an evacuation of downstream residents. Phase 1 of emergency spillway repairs was completed in 2017. The main spillway was successfully reconstructed by November 1, 2018. The lake offers multiple recreational activities for the public to participate in. The Lake Oroville Visitor Center has a museum, exhibits, videos and a store. People like to look through

200-418: A minimum of 375,000 acre-feet (463,000,000 m). Each day the allowable level within the range is recalculated using an index reflecting the watershed wetness and the anticipation of heavy runoff from incoming storms. As a wet season like 1997-98 progresses, the allowable storage tends to coincide with the maximum flood control pool. The reservoir operators must balance the conflicting objectives of controlling

240-542: Is 30.66 inches (779 mm); January is the wettest month at 5.71 inches (145 mm) and July the driest at 0.08 inches (2 mm). In 2015, Northern California experienced a drastic drought reducing the lake level to 39% capacity in January 2016. The year 2017 has made up for the five-year drought by having above-average precipitation. The excess of water created a new danger – see 2017 Oroville Dam crisis . In 2021, another drought affected California which resulted in

280-409: Is 75.2 °F (24.0 °C) and annual average low is 49 °F (9 °C) with average temperature of 62.1 °F (16.7 °C). The coldest months are winter – December to January with average high 56 °F (13 °C) and low 38 °F (3 °C). The warmest months are in the summer – June, July, and August with average high 93 °F (34 °C). The average annual rainfall precipitation

320-813: Is a reservoir in Shasta County, California , United States. It began to store water in 1944 due to the impounding of the Sacramento River by Shasta Dam , the ninth tallest dam in the United States. Shasta Lake is a key facility of the Central Valley Project and provides flood control for the Sacramento Valley downstream of the dam. Water outflow generates power through the Shasta Powerplant and

360-803: Is an earthen dam and is the tallest dam located in the United States , measuring over 770 ft (230 m) high and 6,920 ft (2,110 m) across. The dam was the largest earth-fill dam in the world until succeeded by Aswan High Dam in Egypt . It was built by the California Department of Water Resources as part of the California State Water Project . The dam houses the Edward Hyatt Powerplant , an underground hydro-electric plant that

400-653: Is melting snow, occurring April 1 – July 31, and Lake Oroville receives about 40 percent of the annual total inflow. The lake's storage and releases are a key part of the hydropower and water-supply facilities of the Oroville Complex, the reason it's a pillar and major source of flexibility of the SWP. The downstream flow limits set by the USACE for Lake Oroville are 150,000 cu ft/s (4,200 m/s) north of Honcut Creek, 180,000 cu ft/s (5,100 m/s) above

440-482: Is significantly contaminated with heavy metals, primarily due to contributions from four streams. Three of these streams contain acid mine drainage, with Spring Creek being the most notable contributor. This drainage releases high concentrations of zinc, cadmium, and copper into the water. At the points where these acid streams mix with lake water, localized toxicity occurs, posing an immediate threat to aquatic life. The synergistic effects of these metals further exacerbate

SECTION 10

#1732776529871

480-615: Is subsequently used for irrigation and municipal purposes. The reservoir lies within the Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area , operated by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest . The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has developed a safe eating advisory for fish caught in the lake based on levels of mercury or PCBs found in local species. The Shasta-Keswick Reservoir system

520-683: Is the second-largest reservoir in California, after Shasta Lake . About one-third of the water released from the reservoir goes to uses between the Oroville and Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. Lake Oroville plays an important role in flood management, water quality, and the health of fisheries affecting areas downstream like the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. During the warm season, the primary source of streamflow

560-522: The Feather River ( 39°33′20″N 121°28′0″W  /  39.55556°N 121.46667°W  / 39.55556; -121.46667 ) and the now-inundated towns of Bidwell ( 39°33′25″N 121°27′56″W  /  39.55694°N 121.46556°W  / 39.55694; -121.46556 ) and Land ( 39°33′13″N 121°28′04″W  /  39.55361°N 121.46778°W  / 39.55361; -121.46778 ). Completed in 1968, Oroville Dam

600-711: The Sacramento River , the McCloud River , Sulanharas Creek , and the Pit River . The Sacramento River's source is the Klamath Mountains . The McCloud River's source is Mount Shasta . The Pit River flows from Alturas , and the waterfall Potem Falls is located on that arm of the lake. Shasta Dam was constructed between 1935 and 1945 across the Sacramento River , and Shasta Lake was formed in 1948. The Pit River , McCloud River , and several smaller tributaries had their lower courses and confluences with

640-623: The 4.40 mi (7.08 km) serpentine river channel (Thermalito Diversion Pool) which extends from the river's source to the Thermalito Diversion Dam. Bass (fish) Bass ( / b æ s / ; pl. : bass) is a generic common name shared by many species of ray-finned fish from the large clade Percomorpha , mainly belonging to the orders Perciformes and Moroniformes , encompassing both freshwater and marine species. The word bass comes from Middle English bars , meaning " perch ", despite that none of

680-440: The Feather River Fish Hatchery include Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Chinook salmon are supported by California streams. They display a wide array of life history patterns allowing them to live in the diverse, variable riverine and ocean environments. As anadromous fish, they migrate upstream as adults to spawn in freshwater streams, and as juveniles migrate downstream to

720-622: The Feather River ecosystem. Before the Oroville Dam was constructed, a majority of the fish hatcheries were located on the eastern side of the mountain range (about 100 miles northeast of the hatchery's current location). The first hatchery was constructed in 1916, the Yuba River Shad Hatchery was built on the Feather River to stop the over fishing of shad in the lower Sacramento River. This effort failed, leading to

760-632: The Lake Oroville Visitors Center. The lake is fed by the North Fork, Middle Fork, West Branch and South Fork of the Feather River watershed. This watershed drains an area of 3,611 square miles (9,350 km). The North Fork and Middle Fork Feather Rivers comprise 3,222 square miles (8,340 km) of this area which includes portions of the foothill and mountain regions of the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range. Storing over 3,500,000 acre-feet (4.3 × 10 m), it

800-705: The Maidu people. In 2002, a Sonoma State study took archaeological inventory of the 15,476 acres (6,263 ha) of Lake Oroville to learn 250 sites are from the prehistoric era relating to the Native American life along the Feather River and an additional 478 sites dating to the Gold Rush . These sites included open-air residential sites, caves and rockshelters, limited lithic scatters, rock art, quarries and workshops, bedrock milling sites and cemetery areas. Natives' lives were disrupted by gold discovery in 1848 and

840-693: The Sacramento River submerged by the reservoir. Also beneath the lake is the submerged town of Kennett and many village sites of the Wintun people together with their traditional fishing, hunting, and gathering locations. Parts of the defunct tunnels and right of way of the Southern Pacific Transportation Company can be seen when the water level is low. Shasta Lake hosted the first "Boardstock" event in 1996, which continued there annually through 1999, after which

SECTION 20

#1732776529871

880-420: The annual event moved to Clear Lake, California , 170 miles southwest of Shasta Lake. Boardstock drew many professional wakeboard riders from around the world, with an average attendance of 15,000 people. The event lasted for 3 days each year with several wakeboard contests being performed. There are a number of marinas on Shasta Lake offering a variety of services, including houseboat rentals. Shasta Lake has

920-454: The city of Redding , with the town of Lakehead on its northern shore, Shasta Lake is popular for boating , water skiing , camping, house boating and fishing. Formed by the damming of the Sacramento River , the lake has 365 mi (587 km) of mostly steep mountainous shoreline covered with tall evergreen trees and manzanita . The maximum depth is 517 feet (158 m). The lake has four major arms, each created by an approaching river:

960-731: The commonly referred bass species belong to the perch family Percidae . Many species are also known as basses, including: Largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass are the most popular game fish in North America. It is also very popular in South Africa. In the country, largemouth bass are often found in lakes, rivers, creeks, and dams. When fishing, lures ( Bass worms ), live bait, spinner baits, jig bait or crank bait will work well. Lures that mimic baitfish, worms, crayfish, frogs, and mice are all effective. Shasta Lake Shasta Lake , also popularly known as Lake Shasta ,

1000-482: The current flood event and preparing for a possible future one. In February 2017, extreme precipitation and high spillway releases caused significant damage to the main concrete spillway. Due to this damage, releases were cut back and lake level increased to 101% of capacity, causing the emergency spillway to overflow for the first time in the Lake's history. Below the emergency spillway, severe erosion occurred, and fear of

1040-691: The dam began in 1957 to relocate what is now Highway 70 and the then Western Pacific (now Union Pacific ) Railroad. A few years later the partially completed dam checked flooding on the Feather River in December 1964. This saved the Sacramento Valley from flooding. Prior to impoundment by the Oroville Dam , the current main basin of Lake Oroville was the location of the confluence of the North Fork Feather River with

1080-506: The environmental impact, leading to concerns about the safety of consuming fish from this water source. With a capacity of 4,552,000 acre⋅ft (5.615 km ) at full pool, the lake has an elevation of 1,067 ft (325 m), and a surface area of 30,000 acres (12,000 ha), making it the state's largest reservoir , and its third-largest body of water after Lake Tahoe and the Salton Sea . Ten miles (16 km) north of

1120-643: The hatchery closure, because the Shad's first run did not produce enough eggs and the river had a light run. The main goal of Domingo Springs, built in 1916, was to supply fish to the lakes and streams in Lassen National Park and the surrounding area. In 1937 floods damaged the hatchery and eventually was abandoned. The next phase, built near Clio in Plumas County, was a 60 trout hatchery building and employee cabins that operated for 30 years. In 1953

1160-538: The lake level falling to 35% of its capacity in July. In August, the Hyatt hydroelectric plant was turned off for the first time when levels fell near the minimum necessary to generate power (640 feet (200 m) above sea level). The loss of power could cause an increased number of rolling blackouts during the summer heat wave. Operations resumed in January 2022 following significant rainfall in December. The species raised at

1200-491: The miners infiltrated their lands. In April 1848, only three months after gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill , John Bidwell found gold on the Feather River at a spot known today as the town of Bidwell Bar. Bidwell began to work the claim using local Konkow Maidu workers. Due to the rapidly spreading news of the California strikes, in under a year California's non-native population climbed from 20,000 to 100,000. By 1850, Butte County alone supported 3,052 miners. Construction on

1240-704: The mouth of the Yuba River, and 320,000 cu ft/s (9,100 m/s) south of the Bear River. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licenses hydroelectric facilities such as the Edward Hyatt Power Plant at Oroville Dam. California's Department of Water Resources and stakeholders recently participated in a six-year renewal process for a 50-year hydroelectric license for the Oroville Facilities. This agreement commits

Lake Oroville - Misplaced Pages Continue

1280-469: The ocean but return to the rivers to start the lifecycle again. The Hyatt Generating–Pumping Plant source water for the Feather River is released from two discharge tunnels at up to 17,500 cu ft/s (500 m/s) during peak demand and "little or no release the remainder of the day". The power plant also routinely draws up to 5,610 cu ft/s (159 m/s) of Feather River water for "pumpback" into Lake Oroville. Hyatt releases are stored in

1320-626: The ocean, where they grow into mature adults. There are seventeen distinct runs of Chinook salmon recognized in California, classified into six major groups or evolutionarily significant units. Currently, these are a Species of Concern under the Federal Endangered Species Act. The hatchery spawn, rear and release the Fall and Spring Run Chinook salmon of local origin. The trout, being an anadromous form of rainbow trout, spawn for multiple years in rivers and creeks, transition into

1360-603: The south end of the Lake at Bidwell Marina or the north end at Lake Oroville Marina. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, sailboats, paddleboats and more at the Forebay Aquatic Center located at the North Forebay. Another major activity is camping by using the campground, floating campsites, boat-in camps, or equestrian campsites. A key component of Lake Oroville is the hatchery that manages thriving populations of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout for

1400-495: The state to: restore salmon and steelhead habitat, improved river recreation and community benefits, and a fish passage study to determine and launch a project to enhance passage in the Feather and surrounding river basins. Due to federal flood control requirements, by mid-October each year, the lake's storage must be reduced to a specified level within the range of a maximum flood control pool of 750,000 acre-feet (0.93 km) and

1440-479: The two high-powered telescopes on the 47-foot tall tower to see the lake, Sierra Nevada, valley, foothills, and the Sutter Buttes mountain range. Fishing is described as outstanding at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. People can fish for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, Chinook, catfish, mackinaw, sturgeon, white crappie and brown trout. The largest mackinaw caught was 19 pounds (8.6 kg) and

1480-614: The west side of Table Mountain Boulevard includes: spawning room, hatchery and rearing ponds. Salmon spawning operations can be observed mid-September until mid-November, but fish are present in the rearing ponds all year. Annually on the 4th Saturday of September the Oroville Salmon Festival occurs at the hatchery and downtown Oroville. It is known as the only California salmon festival where personnel work Chinook salmon to harvest and fertilize eggs. Lake Oroville has

1520-464: The work was outdated so the operation was abandoned, creating a 14-year gap in hatchery work. The Department of Water Resources built the Oroville Dam in 1961 that altered the river flow so DWR built the present hatchery with the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The dam blocked salmon and steelhead access to upstream spawning areas, so to further mitigate fisheries impacts, a barrier and ladder system

1560-583: Was built that allows adult salmon and steelhead to be captured at the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Today the hatchery is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife raising spring and fall-run Chinook salmon and steelhead along the Feather River, directly below Lake Oroville. The hatchery is divided into two sections. The first section located on the east side of Table Mountain Boulevard includes: fish barrier dam, observation platform and underwater viewing. The second section located on

1600-559: Was completed in 1967. Six generators are used to provide a maximum generating capacity of 819 MW. Lake Oroville and Oroville Dam are part of the Oroville–Thermalito Complex , a water infrastructure complex including the Hyatt Powerplant, Thermalito Diversion Dam and Powerplant, the Feather River Fish Hatchery, Thermalito Power Canal, Thermalito Forebay, Thermalito Pumping-Generating Plant, Thermalito Afterbay, and

#870129