Oroville

Oroville, California, United States

For an appreciation of scale, power, and history, few outings in Butte County are more fulfilling than a tour of the Oroville Dam in Butte County in Northern California.

Oroville, CA

Oroville Dam has been the crown jewel of the State Water Project, and managed by California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR), since its completion in 1967.

1255 Washington Ave
Oroville, CA

From the high-water marks located across town to the original green bridge that still stands, crossing over the Feather River on Montgomery. Looking at the Table Mountain Bridge from below and taking note of the high-water marks and debris scuffings that characterize the bridges’ supports, it's easy to imagine just how much water moved through this stretch during Northern California’s historical floods.

Oroville, CA

Oroville Dam is responsible for storing 1.1 trillion gallons of water, and was reinforced with man-made earthen support—an estimated 80 million cubic yards of earth, all originally filled one truckload at a time. A visit to the dam brings you above the spillway, where you can look straight down the more than 600-yard spillway that flows down the side of the dam like a 12-lane superhighway.

Oroville, CA

Nearly as impressive in scale as the dam itself is the spillway, rebuilt and reinforced over the last three years and capable of discharging 250,000 cubic feet per second. Its crest measures almost as long as six football fields. In short: It’s big. Boaters visiting the spillway’s boat launch ramp not only get the chance to see the behemoth in person, but also can access the lake’s largest launch facility—eight to 12 lanes, depending on the water level, and nearly 400 total parking spaces. Even those who aren’t launching and simply finishing up their tour, though, will find ample reason to visit the spillway’s launch area. It offers a well-shaded picnic area with outstanding views of the lake and the Sutter Buttes, and even has newly installed educational value with displays detailing the reconstruction of the spillway. Birders can also be rewarded for bringing their binoculars here, and collectors are welcome to bring home driftwood—or even try their hands at finding gold or other stones around the beach.

917 Kelly Ridge Rd
Oroville, CA

Native history is preserved here, not just through storytelling features in the center like placards, artifacts, and videos, but also in the center itself. Petroglyphs mark a large boulder outside the Visitors Center, and some theorize, based on its markings, that it may date back to the time of the Vikings. Other more indigenous artifacts remain, too, including tools, cookware, and utensils left over from the Yahi and Maidu peoples. Despite its close proximity to town proper, it’s not uncommon to capture close, candid wildlife photos or encounters here, either: A bald eagle, family of deer, or various hawks may introduce themselves during your visit, as they are just a few of the remarkable animals that patrol the wooded area nearby. History buffs will probably be most at home in the Visitors Center, too, not just for the native artifacts and lore but for presentations and information on the town’s rich gold mining history as well.

5 Table Mountain Blvd
Oroville, CA

A passthrough each autumn for thousands of steelhead trout and Chinook salmon, the hatchery releases an estimated 10 million salmon and almost half a million trout each year, beginning with their redirection to the fish ladder from the diversion dam. When the fish reach the diversion dam, they will either choose to return downstream or swim upstream along the fish ladder, which visitors can view through a windowed tunnel. Without this practice, the area’s Chinook salmon would face significant population decline.

Oroville, CA

The Oroville Dam in Northern California is a sight best experienced in person!