CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Vehicles

News Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Apr. 5, 2017 Aaron Wright Sector Superintendent [email protected] (530) 538-2200

Summer Recreation at State Recreation Area

OROVILLE, Calif. -- The emergency effort to repair the Lake Oroville spillways will not interfere with most outdoor recreation this summer at the lake, and with the exception of the Spillway Boat Launch Ramp, all boat launch ramps are open, announced State Parks (DPR) and the Department of Water Resources.

All campgrounds also are open and floating campsites are back on the lake and available for rental. Some areas near the will continue to be off-limits to visitors as crews work to repair or replace spillways damaged in February during high runoff.

Outdoor activities available at Lake Oroville this summer include:

 Campgrounds: All campgrounds are now open with site-specific reservations available at Bidwell Canyon, Loafer Creek and Lime Saddle. Campers without reservations are still welcome on a day-to-day basis to any campsites that have not been previously reserved. Campground showers have been equipped with token machines. Each site will have a unique, collectable token which can also be used at other participating state parks.

 Trails: Lake Oroville has a number of trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use. Trails around the Diversion Pool and Hyatt Power Plant likely will be closed throughout the summer, although DPR may make changes to other trails to accommodate more hikers and help compensate for the closures.

 Boating: Water levels are expected to fluctuate throughout the summer. This may affect the availability of boat launch ramps. To verify availability, please call the visitor center at (530) 538- 2219.

 Events: A variety of events are anticipated for Lake Oroville this summer. DPR will soon post a special events calendar on the park’s webpage at www.parks.ca.gov/LakeOroville. Please check back on the website periodically.

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DPR 985 (Rev. 2/2016)(Word 2/23/2016)  Web Camera: Coming soon, another web camera will be placed near the gated flood control spillway on the Brad Freeman Trail near the Oro Dam Boulevard crossing. Though the area is closed to the public, viewers of the webcam will be able to watch construction activity through the summer and fall. Currently, a web camera is placed at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. It is programmed to see the backside of the emergency spillway, the dam and surrounding areas. The feed from this camera can be viewed online at www.parks.ca.gov/LakeOrovilleWebcam. Feed from the new camera will also be available to view on the same webpage.

As DPR prepares for this year’s summer season, staff will be meeting with recreational and community leaders on special events and future projects, such as the development of new and upgraded recreational facilities. The department will also consider ways to help compensate for the loss of parking, the boat launch ramp, and trails affected from the emergency effort to repair the Lake Oroville spillways.

Lake Oroville is located in Butte County, near the city of Oroville. The , second-largest in the state, was created by , the tallest earth-filled dam. Completed in 1967, the lake offers outdoor recreation that includes camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, biking, sail and power boating, water skiing, fishing, swimming, boat-in camping, floating campsites and horse camping.

For more information on the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area or to book a reservation, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/LakeOroville. For outdoor safety tips, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/safetytips.

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California State Parks Provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.

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DPR 985 (Rev. 2/2016)(Word 2/23/2016)