Lake Oroville to open low water launch ramp

OROVILLE » While water levels remain low at Lake Oroville, the California Department of Water Resources will open a temporary, low boat launch ramp in the Oroville Dam Spillway Boat Ramp area beginning Monday, Dec. 14.

According to a DWR press release, both the Loafer Creek and Lime Saddle boat ramps are out of service as a result of declining water levels, and the paved spillway boat ramp will also be out of service as of Monday.

DWR construction at the Bidwell Canyon Boat Ramp area will also halt lake access at that location on the same day. Bidwell Canyon’s Stage II boat ramp is available from 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 to midnight Sunday, Dec. 13.

The temporary spillway low water launch facility will be opened the following day as another boat launching point. According

to the DWR, the gravel launch site is only available to experienced drivers with four-wheel drive vehicles. Signs will direct drivers to the launch point and parking facilities.

The Bidwell Canyon boat ramp is expected to open between Dec. 24 and Dec. 27, though the DWR said inclement weather could delay its reopening.

Information on daily launch conditions can be found by calling the California Department of

Parks and Recreation at 538- 2200. Inclement weather, changing water levels and other variables may impact launch conditions.

More information on Lake Oroville’s water elevations can be found on the California Data Exchange Center website at www.cdec.water.ca.gov. Select the “Reservoirs” tab, then “Daily Reservoir Storage Summary.” Lake Oroville is listed in the Feather River section.