OROVILLE — The California Department of Water Resources announced Monday that it slowed outflows from Lake Oroville from 35,000 cubic feet per second to 27,500 cfs.
According to a press release issued Monday by DWR, the reduction began at 6 p.m. Monday.
Recent inflows caused by snowmelt, runoff and rainfall have raised the lake’s water elevation considerably since December, prompting DWR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin releasing water into the Feather River from the dam’s main spillway. On Monday, the lake sat at roughly 858 feet in water elevation.
The release noted that weather could change quickly which might mean a change in the outflows as planned.
Oro Dam Boulevard East from Rusty Dusty Road to Canyon Drive will still remain closed until Tuesday, the release said. DWR suggested the alternative route of Oro Quincy Highway and Canyon Drive.
“DWR continues to monitor lake levels, weather forecasts and mountain snow levels to optimize operations for flood control, water storage and environmental protection while allowing for carryover storage into next year,” the release said.
