California Reservoir Update as Lake Nears New Milestone
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Lake Oroville is only one foot shy of reaching its capacity of 900 feet and marking the first time in its history of doing so for three consecutive years.
A spokesperson for the Department of Water Resources (DWR) told Newsweek that "no major rain is forecasted but snowmelt driven runoff will continue through June and somewhat in July as forecasted."
Why It Matters
In summer 2022, many reservoirs across California reached concerningly low levels after years of drought, including Lake Oroville. However, since the winter of 2022-23, the lake's water levels have significantly recovered.
Above-average snowfall in the winters of 2023 and 2024 helped the reservoir recover. Although less snow fell this year, the lake is expected to reach its capacity this spring as snow melts, signaling positive news for California.
What To Know
As of Thursday, lakesonline.com documented Lake Oroville's water level at 899 feet, one foot from full capacity.
A boat navigates the waters of Lake Oroville on June 15, 2023, in Oroville, California.
A boat navigates the waters of Lake Oroville on June 15, 2023, in Oroville, California.
Justin Sullivan/Getty
When compared to 2023 and 2024, Lake Oroville's current water levels are the highest they've been for this time of year. On May 22, 2024, its levels were 898.83 feet, according to Lakes Online, and on the same date in 2023, they were at 891.25 feet.
During the past two years, the lake's water levels continued rising into the first half of June.
California DWR data shows Lake Oroville at 99 percent capacity, which is 122 percent of its historical average for this time of year.
Lake Shasta, California's largest reservoir, also is in good shape. At 94 percent capacity, it sits at 112 percent of its historical average for this time of year.
However, drought is still widespread across California. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map, released on Thursday, shows that nearly 60 percent of the Golden State is considered abnormally dry. Almost 40 percent of the state is experiencing moderate drought, with nearly a quarter of it facing more severe drought, mostly focused in Southern California.
The drought is unlikely to improve much in the summer, as the state is entering its dry period.
What People Are Saying
A DWR spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "Lake Oroville is likely to reach full capacity this year. This will be the first time the reservoir has reached full capacity three years in a row."
DWR Director Karla Nemeth said in a press release: "It's great news that our state's snowpack has recovered from several weeks of extremely dry conditions in the heart of our winter storm season. However, it's not a wet year across the entire Sierra Nevada. The north has great snowpack, but snowpack is less than average in the central and southern part of the mountain range. That snowpack ultimately flows to the Delta, and the regional disparity affects how much water the State Water Project will be able to deliver."
What Happens Next
Lake Oroville will likely continue rising into June, as evidenced by past years. Typically, lake levels will begin falling in mid-June and continue falling into November, when they begin to rise again.
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