SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, California State Parks and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced the opening of a temporary low water boat launch site at Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp. This ramp is located within Lake Oroville State Recreation Area (Lake Oroville). The lake’s surface level is about to drop below the 665-feet elevation, which has forced the closures of the Bidwell Canyon Stage 3 Boat Ramp until the lake refills above this elevation. All of the other paved boat ramps have previously closed due to low water levels.
During the closure of Bidwell Canyon Stage 3 Boat Ramp, State Parks will maintain a temporary gravel road access and launch site that extends below the Stage 3 parking lot. It is important to note that due to steep grades on this temporary gravel road, this launch site is limited to 4WD vehicles only. Lake Oroville’s lake levels are dependent on precipitation in the watershed above the lake. Once this inflow increases and the lake rises about the 665-feet elevation, boaters will be transitioned back to the Bidwell Canyon Stage 3 Boat Ramp.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this temporary closure. For more information on Lake Oroville elevations, call the DWR Lake Conditions Recording at (530) 534-2307 or visit the California Data Exchange Center website at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/ (the “Station ID” is ORO). Launching conditions are subject to change due to weather, changing lake levels or other variables. Specific information about the daily launch conditions can be obtained by calling the State Parks’ Northern Buttes District Office at: (530) 538-2200. ###
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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.
