Oroville Dam's main spillway opens for first time since April 2019
BUTTE COUNTY -- The California Department of Water Resources opened the main spillway out at the Oroville Dam for the first time in years on Friday.
Water began spilling out around noon. It's the first time the spillway has been open since April 2019.
California Department of Water Resources officials say the spill was relatively small, with the total releases into the Feather River going at about 15,000 cfs.
DWR has begun releasing water from the main #OrovilleDam spillway. Total releases to the Feather River are currently at 15,000 cfs and will be adjusted as required to meet @USACEHQ flood conservation storage guidelines. pic.twitter.com/SsqvPEvGaV
— CA - DWR (@CA_DWR) March 10, 2023
Lake Oroville is at 75% capacity, which is above average for this time of the year. State officials have also ramped up the outflows from the Hyatt powerplant, which is located at the base of the dam.
The lake has also experienced a dramatic turnaround in water level this winter, thanks to the abundant rainfall. Click here to read how the rain has impacted the water levels.