OROVILLE — The Lake Oroville spillway boat launch will be open for Labor Day, Sept. 2.
Typically closed Monday to Thursday for ongoing construction, the Department of Water Resources and California State Parks announced the holiday exception in a news release Friday.
After two years of closure as DWR repaired the Oroville Dam main and emergency spillways, the ramp reopened Aug. 9 for public access from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.
DWR plans to open the spillway boat launch ramp seven days a week in the fall, but will return to restricting access in spring 2020 for more construction.
Fish hatchery
Per the release, the Feather River Fish Hatchery has also reopened. The fish ladder and ladder viewing window are scheduled to open Sept. 15.
The hatchery had been closed since July 9 for routine maintenance and inspections to the facility.
During the four week closure, water supply was shut off to the hatchery and fish were transferred to the Thermalito Annex Complex in Oroville.
No algal blooms
There are currently no harmful algal bloom advisories for Lake Oroville, Thermalito Forebay or the Thermalito Afterbay.
Noisy dam
The release also informed Oroville Dam visitors of a noise advisory that will occur Aug. 19 through 28.
Workers will be performing tests that emit occasional loud bangs to provide DWR with data for assessments of the main spillway structures.
Speed limits
Butte County Public Works staff will be working with Oroville Field Division to return Oro Dam Boulevard East to pre-construction speed limits between Glen Drive and Oro Powerhouse Road.
Crews will be present on the roadway beginning Monday.
Drivers are advised to be aware of roadway workers and obey newly posted speed limits.
Other new measures implemented at the dam include, security cameras, fencing, pop-up gates and two security kiosks.
