Lake Oroville Nears Full Capacity in Latest Update
State officials report robust water levels at the State Water Project’s largest reservoir ahead of summer.
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Lake Oroville. Credit: CA Department of Water Resources.
OROVILLE — The California Department of Water Resources announced on May 15 that Lake Oroville stands near full capacity. The reservoir currently measures 897 feet in elevation and stores approximately 3.38 million acre-feet. Officials note that the reservoir is at 99% of capacity and 122% of the historical average. Total releases to the Feather River equal 1,050 cubic feet per second.
Lake Oroville functions as the primary storage facility for the State Water Project. The reservoir provides water supplies to roughly 27 million Californians, mainly in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Project water also irrigates about 750,000 acres of farmland in the San Joaquin Valley. Releases support hydroelectric power generation, flood control with 750,000 acre-feet of dedicated storage, salinity management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and habitat for salmon, steelhead, and other species in the Feather River.
The Department of Water Resources works to conserve water in the reservoir while fulfilling delivery and environmental obligations. Staff monitors lake levels, weather forecasts, and snowpack conditions to manage storage effectively. DWR evaluates Feather River releases on a daily basis. Some water released for flood control gets captured downstream for local and State Water Project uses.
Near-full conditions mean windy periods may produce splashing over the emergency spillway crest. Minor wetting of the downstream concrete surfaces occurs as part of the spillway’s normal design. Department officials confirm the dam and emergency spillway continue to perform as intended.
Summer recreation opportunities at Lake Oroville appear strong with high water levels. The reservoir features more than 167 miles of shoreline suitable for boating, fishing, swimming, and other activities. Campers can use one of three campgrounds or reserve floating campsites. The Lake Oroville Visitor Center welcomes visitors daily from 9 AM to 5 PM with free admission and interpretive displays.
Environmental monitoring remains active at the Oroville-Thermalito Complex. No harmful algal bloom advisories are in effect, and the Feather River fish monitoring station recorded 5,153 spring-run Chinook salmon between March 4 and May 11, 2026.