Forecasted storms expected in the Feather River basin this weekend may require using Lake Oroville’s flood control outlet spillway (also known as the main spillway) this week or next.
After last year’s spillway incident, the Department created the 2017/18 Lake Oroville Winter Operations Plan to ensure public safety in the event of major storm events. This plan triggers more aggressive outflow from Hyatt Powerplant and potential use of the main spillway should the reservoir’s elevation reach 830 feet during the month of April. The current forecasts show the potential for inflows to raise the reservoir to near the 830-foot trigger elevation by the middle of next week.
In anticipation of the incoming weather, DWR has increased outflows from the reservoir.
Because the forecasts are dynamic, they could change in magnitude and timing.
The following provides the most current approximate information:
• Lake Elevation: 793.20 feet
• Inflow: 8,000 cfs
Local
• Spillway Outflows: 0
• Hyatt Powerplant Outflow: 13,000 cfs
• Feather River Flows: 13,750 cfs
