[Water_news] 3. DWR'S CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS: WATERSHEDS - 6/02/09

 

Department of Water Resources

California Water News

A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment

 

June 2, 2009

 

3. Watersheds –

 

 

Outdoor Recreation Lures Anglers, Boaters, Campers to Lake Oroville

DWR News Release-6/01/09

 

 

OROVILLE -- Lake Oroville is a prime destination for those seeking outstanding outdoor recreation

this summer.

 

"Lake Oroville offers a full agenda of summer lake recreation, with pleasant boating, excellent fishing

and convenient camping," said John Ford, the Department of Water Resources' (DWR) tour guide at

Oroville Dam.

 

Biking, hiking and horseback riding are also available near the DWR reservoir in northern California's

scenic Butte County.

 

The keystone of California's State Water Project, Lake Oroville is surpassed in size only by the

Bureau of Reclamation's Lake Shasta near Redding.

 

Within driving range of northern California urban centers, Lake Oroville offers a country atmosphere

just 75 miles north of Sacramento. It can be reached via State Highway 70 or US 99.

Floating campsites and two major marinas are big attractions for vacationers.

 

Fishing at Lake Oroville

 

Fishing opportunities include both warm water and cold water fish species.

Bass fishing in Lake Oroville is excellent in late spring and early summer. Most are spotted bass in

the one- to two-pound size range, with some bigger fish, including largemouth bass, in the lake. Lake

Oroville also contains smallmouth and redeye bass. Numerous bass tournaments are held at the

reservoir. Lake Oroville is the only lake in California where coho salmon are planted. These fish are

highly regarded by anglers for their fighting abilities and are prized by diners as excellent table fare.

 

Boating, Marinas

 

Houseboats, water skiing boats, personal water craft and fishing boats may be rented at the lake's

two marinas: Bidwell Canyon Marina (800) 637-1767 and Lake Oroville Marina (800) 834-7517.

To prevent the spread of invasive mussels to Lake Oroville, the Department of Parks and Recreation

inspects all commercially hauled and launched boats, mostly houseboats. Visitors who trailer their

own boats to the reservoir can help thwart spread of invasive mussels by keeping their boats clean,

dry and drained. More information about invasive species like Quagga mussels can be found at this

Web site: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel

 

Camping Information

 

Most recreational facilities at Lake Oroville are located inside the Lake Oroville State Recreation

Area, administered and operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. For camping

information at Oroville, call (530) 538-2200. Reservations may be made by calling Reserve America

at (800) 444-7275.

 

Visitors Center

 

The Lake Oroville Visitors Center, overlooking the reservoir, offers visitors information about

recreation and attractions in the area.

 

Operated jointly by the Department of Parks and Recreation and DWR, the Visitors Center has a 47-

foot viewing tower that offers sweeping vistas of the lake, dam and upper Sacramento Valley,

including the Sutter Buttes. Located at 917 Kelly Ridge Road, the center is open free of charge to

visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The phone

number is (530) 538-2219.

 

Another big attraction is the Feather River Fish Hatchery, located on the Feather River at Oroville,

where hatchery salmon are nurtured by the millions.

 

Multi-Purpose Reservoir

 

Lake Oroville is the major storage reservoir for DWR's State Water Project. As with other multipurpose

reservoirs, Lake Oroville's surface level typically peaks in spring and fluctuates during the

year as the reservoir performs its various functions for flood control, storage, water quality and water

supply.

 

Nearby Fishing

 

Quality fishing is also available at water bodies near Lake Oroville, including Thermalito Afterbay, a

shallow lake downstream from Lake Oroville, which hosts a productive largemouth bass fishery.

The 5,500-acre Oroville Wildlife Area, just west of State Highway 70, contains many small ponds,

with fishing for bass and sunfish. The Oroville Wildlife Area also provides access to 10 miles of the

Feather River, one of the most popular steelhead rivers in California.

 

Upstream from Lake Oroville, trout fishing is available along the North and Middle Forks of the

Feather River. Trout fishing is also available at Lake Davis, Frenchman Lake and Antelope Lake,

three smaller SWP lakes, set in the shady Plumas National Forest. All three are cool and relaxed

fishing venues in summer, over 5,600 feet in altitude.

 

Regional Attractions

 

The City of Oroville and surrounding region offer many attractions beyond the lake. A historic Gold

Rush-era community, Oroville has graceful neighborhoods, a developing recreational magnet in

Riverbend Park along the Feather River, plus motels and restaurants, and leisure entertainment at

two Indian casinos. There are three Gold Rush era museums in Oroville, plus an historic Chinese

Temple and Bolts Tool Museum. Feather Falls, at 640 feet, the sixth highest waterfall in the United

States, is located east of Lake Oroville. It can be seen by trail hikers in the area.

 

Aquatic Center

 

A relatively new Forebay Aquatic Center provides rentals of sailboats, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats

and hydro bikes. The Center also offers a variety of watersports classes, including water skiing and

sailing.

 

More information on regional attractions and lodging can be obtained from the Oroville Area

Chamber of Commerce (1-800-655-GOLD) and the Oroville Visitor and Tourism Bureau (1-888-

OROVILLE). The Oroville Chamber provides a full range of recreation information on its Web site at

www.lakeoroville.net.#

 

 

http://www.water.ca.gov/news/

 

 

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DWR’s California Water News is distributed to California Department of Water Resources management and staff,  for information purposes, by the DWR Public Affairs Office. For reader’s services, including new subscriptions, temporary cancellations and address changes, please use the online page: http://listhost2.water.ca.gov/mailman/listinfo/water_news . DWR operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs. Inclusion of materials is not to be construed as an endorsement of any programs, projects, or viewpoints by the Department or the State of California.